Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Lamps plays down shield row

10 Aug 2009 - 16:55:28

Click To Enlarge

Frank Lampard has played down the row which has overshadowed Chelsea's Community Shield victory over Manchester United.

The Blues won the first piece of silverware in the new season following a 4-1 penalty shootout success over United at Wembley on Sunday.

However, the match, which finished in a 2-2 draw, has been overshadowed by an incident involving United defender Patrice Evra and Blues midfielder Michael Ballack.

Lampard edged Chelsea ahead 2-1 in the 71st minute but Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson was unhappy with the build-up to the goal.

Referee Chris Foy allowed play to continue when Ballack appeared to body-check Evra just minutes after pulling up Evra when Ballack was injured on the turf despite no foul being committed.

But speaking ahead of England's midweek friendly against the Netherlands, Lampard has denied suggestions that the incident could spill over into an international week.

He said: "I think it was foul looking back at it. It wasn't an elbow or body check like has been said.

"You play on until the ref blows the whistle. Man U have done it in the first half a couple of times when he didn't blow.

"You play on. It's cut and dried really.

"We know how these things go. We've been on the receiving end in more important games than that.

"It's just a bit of luck and it was a good game for us to win."