*Frank Lampard passed the 150 goal mark for Chelsea as they threw the gauntlet down to Premier League pace-setters Manchester United by destroying Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.* Lampard’s four goals made him the third-highest scorer in the club’s history eclipsing legends Roy Bentley and Peter Osgood with 151 goals. His efforts, two from the penalty spot, were the centrepiece of an emphatic Chelsea victory as they followed up their 5-0 midweek win at Portsmouth with another goal-laden attacking display. And as coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted the disappointment of their Champions League exit at the hands of Inter Milan may yet aid their attempts to regain the title, Chelsea’s embarrassing superiority over a Villa side with sights set on the top four provides the perfect tonic for next Saturday’s visit to Old Trafford. It was a win made all the more impressive because it was achieved without main marksman Didier Drogba, who was rested on the substitutes’ bench after picking up a knock in the victory at Fratton Park. To say he was not missed is an understatement. Lampard gave Chelsea an early lead when he converted Florent Malouda’s cross at the far post, but John Carew quickly put Villa level after good work by Ashley Young. The game took a crucial twist right on half-time when Lampard put Chelsea back in front from the spot after Yuri Zhirkov was brought down by James Collins - and there was no way back for Villa as Ancelotti’s side cut loose after the interval. Malouda took advantage of more fine work from Zhirkov to beat Friedel, and Lampard completed his hat-trick with another penalty. He made his mark in Chelsea history by slipping his spot-kick comfortably past Villa keeper Brad Friedel after another run from the rampant Zhirkov drew a foul from Dunne. Villa crumbled and Malouda piled on the agony after he was set up by Lampard and substitute Salomon Kalou made it six when he shot low past Friedel after Nicolas Anelka had been given what seemed like an age to turn in the area. It was fitting that Lampard rounded off the rout with his fourth goal in the dying seconds, turning home his effort inside the area as Villa gave every impression of a side who simply could not wait for the whistle to sound. And as if this was not enough to ignite ecstasy around Stamford Bridge, the roars were deafening as news of Birmingham City’s late equaliser against Arsenal filtered through. Villa actually made the brighter start and won a succession of corners, so it was against the run of play that Lampard made the breakthrough for Chelsea after 14 minutes. Villa’s defence allowed Malouda’s driven cross to fly right across the face of goal, leaving Lampard to steal in for a sliding finish at the far post. The goal should have banished Chelsea’s early uncertainty, but they were also guilty of defensive carelessness as Villa drew level just before the half-hour. Again it was a cross that caused the problem as Young delivered into the area, Zhirkov appearing blissfully unaware of the giant Carew’s presence behind him as he let the cross go, presenting the striker with the simplest of finishes. Chelsea ended an undistinguished first half, which gave little hint of the riches to come, in the ascendancy as Lampard restored their lead from the spot a minute before the interval. Referee Peter Walton pointed to the spot as Zhirkov went down under the challenge from James Collins as he raced into the area, leaving Lampard to thrash the penalty beyond Friedel. If Villa had any plans to mount a second half revival, they were swept away as Chelsea ran riot after the break in brilliant fashion. Malouda made it three for Chelsea after 57 minutes when he swept in Zhirkov’s inviting cross - and the Russian was instrumental as they extended their lead, allowing Lampard to complete his treble from the spot five minutes later. Zhirkov surged into the area and was upended by Dunne. Lampard stepped forward to beat Friedel again and reach his landmark goals tally. Villa boss Martin O’Neill was pondering the introduction of Stewart Downing when the outstanding Malouda made it five after 68 minutes. Lampard filled the role of creator in another move that sliced Villa apart, simply rolling the ball into Malouda’s path inside the area and he rifled a finish high past Friedel. O’Neill’s side had degenerated into a shambles, and Kalou and Lampard inflicted further late punishment before Villa were put out of their abject misery. Second-placed Chelsea remain one point behind leaders Manchester United, who won 4-0 at Bolton in Saturday’s late kick-off, and are now three points clear of third-placed Arsenal, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Birmingham *Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill:* “We were well beaten by a fine side but we were also masters of our downfall. “We stopped competing at 3-1 and that’s unforgivable. We had the possibility of going 2-2 but it went 3-1 and the floodgates opened. “It was a desperately poor performance against admittedly a fine side. We are devastated and we have to fight back from this.” --- *The Guardian* Saturday, 27 March 2010 *Frank Lampard plunders four as Chelsea humiliate Aston Villa* So rapidly do football’s fortunes deal their cards, Carlo Ancelotti cannot afford to be over-confident. But the more football they have played since the crushing week in which Chelsea slipped out of the Champions League and dropped points at Blackburn, the more that looks like an aberration they are well and truly over. Twelve goals in their last two games puts paid to the notion that a European exit might dent their appetite for the domestic challenge. Given Carlo Ancelotti’s belief that a powerful finish can make for a “fantastic season”, it could have been a blow to Chelsea that Didier Drogba, so influential he had contributed 10 league goals in eight games since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, was omitted from the starting line up to rest his knee. Not so. In this goalfest Frank Lampard plundered four and Florent Malouda was a constant source of torment. The Frenchman conjured two artistic finishes. He has never before scored so often in a single season during his entire career. Confidence is glowing. It was a momentous afternoon for Lampard, who ended up with a stack of milestones to go with the match ball. In a single game he managed to mark his 100th Premier League goal for Chelsea and 150th in all competitions since crossing London for Stamford Bridge. Perhaps the most staggering of all is the statistic that confirms he has reached 20 goals for the sixth consecutive season from midfield. “Frank is world class and he is invaluable to us,” said assistant manager Ray Wilkins. Chelsea were able to rely on him to open the scoring early. When the effervescent Malouda drove in a cross-shot from the left which evaded a clutch of players, Steven Warnock was deceived by the pace of the ball. It was easy pickings for a man with Lampard’s instinct for goal. Just before the half hour, Chelsea invited Villa to equalise with a move that echoed their opener. Ashley Young was given ample time and space to eliminate three opponents from the scene. His curled cross confused Yuri Zhirkov, who appeared to barely notice as John Carew stole in behind him to finish from close range. It was the Norwegian’s ninth strike in eight games. Unfortunately for Villa, that was the high point of another troublesome afternoon regarding their fading Champions League ambitions. Martin O’Neill was brutal afterwards about the dwindling possibility of finishing fourth, remarking, “On that performance we wouldn’t finish 44th.” He was visibly shocked by what he witnessed. Two minutes before half-time Malouda made another teasing impact, with a beautifully crafted back heel to send Zhirkov into the penalty area. James Collins was a fraction late with his challenge and appeared to catch the Russian’s toe. Referee Peter Walton pointed to the spot. Although Friedel stretched a hand to it, Lampard’s effort was too firmly struck to be denied. Trailing by a slender enough margin at half time, there was no reason for Villa to assume they would be so horribly overrun after the break. O’Neill did reorganise at half-time, pushing Agbonlahor up to partner Carew and switching Milner into the heart of midfield. It didn’t make a big difference as Chelsea looked increasingly comfortable and eased further in front courtesy of a fine team goal in the 55th minute. Joe Cole and Deco combined to work the ball to Zhirkov, whose cross was dispatched brilliantly via Malouda’s volley. Chelsea turned the screw on the hour when the galavanting Zhirkov was upended en route to another dash into the penalty area. Same scenario, same outcome. Lampard hovered over the spot kick and nervelessly collected his hat-trick. O’Neill was distraught with the way his team caved in. “We didn’t compete,” he lamented. “I didn’t see it coming at half time. At 3-1 we capitulated and that isn’t like us. We were well and truly hammered. It’s as devastating as I’ve known in the game. I have been a player and manager some considerable time but that was as tough a lesson as any.” The Chelsea goals came thick and fast. Lampard was unselfish when, with target practice surely tempting, he rolled a pass for Malouda, whose finish bent deliciously over Friedel. Substitute Salomon Kalou angled in the sixth after an assist from Nicolas Anelka. The seventh fell to Lampard’s boot, a late arrival and crisp finish. Should it boil down to it, goal difference is looking radiantly healthy. While Wilkins did not disagree, he did predict there would be “many more twists and turns to come”. Chelsea travel to Old Trafford next weekend for a match which might just be subject to a mild dose of hype over the next few days. The following week they rendezvous once more with O’Neill’s men in the FA Cup semi-final. Bet Villa can hardly wait.