Vincent Kompany believes Frank Lampard’s equaliser against Chelsea could prove crucial when the Premier League title is handed out in May.
The Stamford Bridge legend stunned the footballing world in the summer when, just weeks after leaving the capital club when his contract expired, he returned to England to sign a short-term loan deal with Manchester City. This was particularly surprising considering the rivalry between the two clubs in terms of competing for the top honours, and that he had previously indicated he would find it difficult to join another Premier League side.
Lampard made his debut for Manuel Pellegrini’s outfit in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend, and then came off the bench against his beloved Chelsea on Sunday afternoon to grab a sensational late equaliser. He earned plaudits for refusing to celebrate his goal out of respect for his former club, but Kompany believes his strike could yet prove to be decisive as City look to retain the title and win it for a third time in four years.
“Ever since I’ve been at this club, seasons have been decided on small events like this one so I will never underestimate what it could mean to our season. It could be crucial,” he said. “Frank brings quality. He brings experience. It is not a word you make up, it is something that helps and it is like his goal: keeping your head cool in a moment when you are under pressure and down to 10 men – how many players would have scored that goal?”
Lampard is due back to his parent club, New York City, at the beginning of January in preparation for the MLS season which begins in March. However, with Yaya Toure set to be involved in the African Cup of Nations for Ivory Coast at the turn of the year, it has been reported that City will seek an extension to the loan to cover this period. And if they manage to pull that off, the 36-year-old could feature at Chelsea when Pellegrini take his side to Stamford Bridge for the return Premier League fixture on 31 January.
Is it too early to value the importance of Lampard’s goal, or is Kompany right to state how crucial it could be? Let us know your thoughts by joining in the discussion below.
