Looks who’s laughing now as Frank Lampard is making a case of these Blues

The legacies of Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri are a thing of the past in Stamford Bridge, as all-time great Chelsea former midfielder Frank Lampard, the man is starting a silent revolution in these parts of Fulham.

With the league entering November, these Blues are playing like old times and finally using that a precious commodity in its academy paying off dearly and with a Reds slip, we may have the top covered all in Blue.

Still we have quite a ways to see the end of this league, but for now, Stamford Bridge is not missing  its former Italian skippers by seeing how Lampard and company are silencing many mouths with pure class and wins.

 

One by putting on a magnificent spectacle and putting on a prolific run of four matches won consecutively after that Liverpool loss since then this team has step it up in its game and not surrendering any more losses.

So far, the Pensioners are within eight points to the top, but nothing is written as this season is far from over and of this team continues with its winning ways, somehow, we can see them sitting pretty at the top.

Despite the wins over Brighton, Newcastle, Southampton and the Claret’s recently, still this pack can carry some punch and stand on its ground as no one can be labeled as an easy foe, the proof is with Burnley’s comeback.

Overall the man has all the attributes to become a winner in his new role and someday be remembered as the best in the field and the sidelines as well his philosophy currently being applied with some level of success in the field.

For the Pensioners currently having one of the best academies in Premiership and putting behind the old practice of selling or lending players to other entities, this season Frank Lampard has taken advantage of his resources.

As many questions arise if Sarri or Conte they would use the likes of Mason Mount, Reece James, Ruben Loftus- Cheek, Faustino Anjorin, and the academy jewels Tammy Abraham and Callum Hudson- Odoi.

Maybe, but for Frank Lampard gambles are paying off, as this weekend match against Burnley the man sent from the start another one of his arsenals in American born Christian Pulisic who made an impact in his starting eleven.

Currently the team situated in fourth place with 20 points and seeing a turnaround in Champions League after a rocky start against Valencia but rebounding with back to back wins over Ajax and Lyon.

If this man has magic and capable of making things happen now as a manager, for sure he can as Derby County is now struggling in the bottom of the Championship table under Phillip Cocu and last season, these were in the promotion playoffs.

However, we can say if this team continues its winning ways and playing like a true contender, we may have a contest and a run to the top, but Lampard is guiding this team into the right direction and seeing its winning ways not interrupted.

As Frank Lampard will have the last laugh in the end, still with several games to go, but the man has proven to have the mettle to become a winner in Premiership along with his Blues.

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A showdown in the West, with a contested Angelino Derby

What a game both Tinsel Town squads displayed last night in a sold-out Bank of California Stadium, here all favorites LAFC, finally deliver a win over the crosstown rivals the LA Galaxy.

It’s a showdown and a duel between two sides strikers in which Carlos Vela delivering what he does best scoring goals in the end took the better part over Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing his last match in MLS.

Still, last night match was somehow a fest a goal-fest between these two where the likes of the LAFC despite finishing atop the league with the best record, something these never did since their inception beat the LA Galaxy. 

As the Galacticos had the upper hand, this match had nothing to do with the league-best record holders the newcomers LAFC, as this match was not to be labeled as an easy affair in the end.

However, the word home-field advantage this time worked wonders with a raucous and supportive local fan base making all sorts of noise and in the stands chanting the lungs in support of their beloved Black and Gold. 

Overall in this postseason, all its matches have been exciting and very contested but not like El Trafico that delivered a one of a kind game since its start all the way to its finish and for the attendees worth every cent these paid. 

For the Black and Gold, this win became their first-ever to net over the Galaxy, as the local hitting first blood with a grand score from Carlos Vela in the 16’ minute to put the locals ahead in the score. 

No later came the second goal from the locals once again by who else but Carlos Vela in the 40’ minute and sentencing the match in favor of the Black and Gold, but it's not over until the last whistle. 

No even a minute passed by when the Galacticos returned the favor with Cristian Pavon to make this match a contest and awakening this pioneering giant into the competition, as the game going into halftime, was in favor of the locals.

This was not over and bracing for a contested second half, the visitors leveled the score in the 55’ with Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal to put a dent in the local’s momentum, still, this strategy did not work for Galaxy manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

Then in the 66’ minute, LAFC Diego Rossi scored the tiebreaker and no later he was followed by his teammate Adama Diomande in the 68’ with back to back goals by the Black and Gold and this was a madhouse.

For the Galaxy rallying through Rolf Feltscher in the 77’ many thought that the visitors were back but a determined and inspired Adama Diomande put on the finishing touch in the 80’ to seal the deal. 

Now for the final in the Western Conference against Seattle Sounders and again we don’t see a clear favorite in this match, as both sides have their own and anything can happen.

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Recap in the first round in MLS playoffs

The postseason was underway in this past weekend and with conferences sides staging a high degree of competition, the stage is set for midweek with four fronts looking for a pass into the league finals.

Still with four matches scheduled on Saturday and one on Sunday, the semifinals are set and ready for Wednesday and Thursday, as some sides coming labeled as favorites, in the end, they were for a surprise with a few upsets. 

Starting in Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota with the Loons of Minnesota United playing they're the first-ever postseason since their inception, these hosted the likes of al around favorites LA Galaxy.

 Still the way Minnesota United amazing season and playing as locals, these had the upper advantage, but in the second half, the Galacticos had the upper hand with a couple of goals.

With back to back goals from Sebastien Llegett 71’ and Jonathan Dos Santos 75’ the Angelinos were cruising but a late goal by MNUFC Jan Gregus in the 87’, but in the end, these succumb to LA’s push.

Minnesota United 1-2 Los Angeles Galaxy

A showdown in Emerald City between the Sounders and FC Dallas, with a goal-fest with a total of seven-goal scored in a thriller between both sides, the locals came ahead with a valuable win.

With the Sounders scoring early via Raul Ruidiaz 18’ followed by Jordan Morris 22’, Dallas came back with Reggie Cannon 39’ and Matt Hedges 64’ to make this an even contest until Jordan Morris in the 74’ broke the tiebreaker.

However, the Lone Star side tied it again with Bryan Acosta the goal in the 84’ in a match-ending even to the point of going into extra time and where the man of the match Jordan Morris decided it in the 113’.

Seattle Sounders 4-3 FC Dallas 

In Sandy, Utah the Portland Timbers were looking to make it three in a row in this season over Real Salt Lake, as the Rose Cityside coming as slight favorites, these started with one of their worst performances. 

With a first half in favor of the Claret and Cobalt and going before halftime with the lead after a Damir Kreilach goal in the 28’, the second half the Timbers came ready and with Dairon Aspirilla scoring the equalizer in the 47’. 

The game for sure was raising its tone and the Rose City side coming strong that in the end, Jefferson Savarino score in the 87’ seal the deal for RSL in Rio Tinto Stadium in a night with strange weather.

Real Salt Lake 1-2 Portland Timbers

In the Eastern Conference, the Toronto FC hosted the likes of Wayne Rooney playing his last game with DC United in BMO Field, with a goal fest the Boys from the North moved on to the next stages.

With Toronto, Marco Delgado 32’opened the score but later tied by DCU by Lucas Rodriguez on injury time 90+3, in the 93 Ritchie Laryea, Jonathan Osorio brace in the 95 and 103 and Nick Leon 105+1. 

Toronto FC 5-1 DC United

In Mercedes Benz Stadium the Atlanta United started the defense of his championship with a hard-fought win over the New England Revolution with a lone goal by Franco Escobar 70’.

Atlanta United 1-0 New England Revolution

To conclude in the city of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia the local Union came from a three-goal deficit to earn a hard-fought win and netting their pass into semifinals in what became another goal fest.

With the RBNY scoring Josh Sims 6’, Tim Parker 24’, Union Alejandro Bedoya goal 30’, later NY via Tom Barlow 45+4, then a Union a turnaround with Jack Elliott 52’, Fafa Picault 78’ and Marco Fabian scoring the game winner 105+1

Toronto FC 5-1 DC United

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