Chelsea 4 Sheffield United 1: Thiago Silva and Timo Werner score as Hakim Ziyech bags two assists at Stamford Bridge
FRANK LAMPARD has paid tribute to his own football pensioner Thiago Silva.
Remembrance Weekend usually sees the military veterans from the nearby Chelsea hospital invited to Stamford Bridge for a special service.
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Covid restrictions prevented that this year but at least one old soldier was on parade and wearing the captain’s armband.
And Brazilian legend Silva, 36, repaid Lampard with his first goal for Chelsea as part of a rout which the manager hailed as ‘the best performance’ of the season even though they had to come from behind to win.
Lampard said: “I knew the player Thiago was because of the career he has had, he was in a Champions League final in his last match before signing for us.
“His level of performance is matched by his preparation in between games, the way he attacks training. He studies the opposition so diligently and we have many meeting about this.
“I appreciate his age too and understand that the rigours of the season ahead need to be carefully managed. But I can’t speak highly enough of him. He has been brilliant.”
Lampard hailed all his players as ‘amazing’ even though they were forced to fight back from a goal down when Sheffield United took a shock lead in the ninth minute.
Goals from Tammy Abraham, Ben Chilwell, Silva and Timo Werner were enough to send Chelsea up to third place ahead of the international break.
Lampard said: “It was disappointing to concede a goal but I guess it will look that way after we have had so many clean sheets lately.
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“The players were amazing and this was our best performance of the season in complete terms. I really enjoyed watching them but it’s a long season and I’m the first one to keep my feet on the ground.”
Sheffield United sit rock bottom of the Premier League without a win so far this season and boss Chris Wilder accepts some of the goals his team let in were unacceptable.
He admitted new keeper Aaron Ramsdale should have done better for Chelsea’s second which was scored by left back Chilwell from which there was no way back.
Wilder said: “He will make the odd mistake as young players do. He was at fault for the second goal but he will stick with it.
“Our season won’t be decided though by games played against the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City or Chelsea.”
