Lampard’s Chelsea Reign Begin With Friendly Draw

Frank Lampard’s tenure as Chelsea boss started with a friendly draw on Wednesday, with Michy Batshuayi scoring for the Blues before a late leveller from Irish side Bohemians saw the London club held to a 1-1 stalemate.

Lampard picked a side headlined by Batshuayi and Pedro for the friendly which marked the start of his reign as Chelsea boss, and it was Belgium international Batshuayi who kicked things off by opening the scoring just eight minutes in.

Left-back Kenedy – back from a loan spell at Newcastle – laid on the opener, driving in from the left side and firing a shot that was blocked into the path of Batshuayi. The 25-year-old did well to hold off a defender and fire home, giving Lampard’s side an early lead.

Lampard rung the changes at half-time, with the like of Danny Drinkwater, Cesar Azpilicueta and Willy Caballero, all starters on the day, replaced in favour of a group that included Tiemoue Bakayoko, Kurt Zouma, Lucas Piazon and Davide Zappacosta.

Chelsea looked a good bet to walk away with a slender victory, but a late Eric Molloy strike, aided by some sloppy work at the back from the Blues, was enough for the home side to pull level and hold on for a 1-1 draw on the night.