New Chelsea manager Frank Lampard kick-started his reign with an unfortunate draw against Irish side Bohemians in the first preseason friendly for the Blues.
Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi got the first goal of the game as Chelsea took the lead in the first half but a late equalizer just one minute from time scored by Eric Molley meant that the game ended in a draw.
Lampard named 22 payers in his squad that flew out to Ireland on Friday and there were quite a few youngsters on a show for the Premier League club on either side of the half. Key members like Danny Drinkwater and Michy Batshuayi were given the opportunity to start and it seemed quite imperative that the duo gets regular football before the season begins.
Although Bohemians ground Dalymount Park was not the most glamorous ground for Frank Lampard to make his debut as a manager, the 41-year-old’s team got into the groove right from the start. Batshuayi lashed in from close range after just eight minutes and after leading 1-0 at the break, Lampard made 11 changes as his whole squad got a proper field day.
Chelsea did dominate the early parts of the second half but a lapse in concentration towards the end of the game on 89 minutes allowed the home team to snatch a late equalizer through Molley.
It will not be the same atmosphere for Lampard when he arrives at Old Trafford for his first competitive game at the start of the Premier League season as Manchester United awaits the Europa League winners. But with his first game out of the way in the preseason, Lampard can focus on what he needs to do to get better or rather improve for the upcoming season.
