Frank Lampard found reasons to be encouraged and room for improvement from his team as he analysed the EFL Cup defeat to Manchester United.
First Lampard assessed his team's performance: 'In terms of where we weren't at our best, we were a little bit slow with our passing in the first half. When a team comes, as Newcastle did, and puts five back and two in front, and are disciplined and want to organise if you don't break the lines and don't move, and you don't mix your game up, it's tough.
'We were a little bit that way first half, and then we weren't clinical enough second half. We created chances, changed our game, were really bright. I loved the first half-an-hour in the second half. We were deserving of our goal and deserving of more.
'Rashford's goal was stunning, at a time when we had got ourselves level and I felt we were really in the ascendency. We had just brought Mason and Pedro on and I felt the fresh legs of them two would help. But when they got themselves in front they had a lead to defend, and they did that.'
'The outstanding moment of the game from our point of view was Michy's goal in terms of individual endeavour, skill, strength, pace and finish.
'Michy has been really good for us this season with his attitude and professionalism in training. It's not easy when another striker is scoring and you're not getting involved much. Every time he's started in the cup games, every time he's come on, he's shown stuff.'
'We've had seven wins on the trot, we've had taxing games in the Champions League. It's important for us to get into the next stage of that. We have a few tough games coming up.
'Our form in the league has been really good, and it's quite clear they are the priorities. We want to win football matches and we want to give everything, but I have to look at my squad and people that deserve minutes, young players that are going to be big players. The competition has an element of that for us, and an element of wanting to win and be successful.
'I saw a lot of things that were good for us for the future, a lot of positives. I hate losing, we all do here, but it's clear there is a big picture and there are a lot of big games for us to come and a busy fixture list. Now we move on and focus on what is to come.'
MANDY92
322
All this kind of excuses is what I hate most in football.... at the match press conference Lampard said he would give his all on this game, and we fans was happy with the kind of motivation... but come to the team selection he got it all wrong. let forget about the goal Bat man scored... he killed the game right from the beginning with his lack of pace, ball control and miss passes...he shouldn't have started the game.... Caballero Played like Nigeria GK Akpeyi against Algeria in AFCON...made wall and stay at the back of the wall to give Rashford the chance to put the free kick past him Alonso too was the worst LB I ever seen in a decade with such poor performance he showed last night, he should chop bench a while if Emerson fit.... LAMPARD mistakes was... 1: not starting the whole first team when he knows we have already lost against this same team... 2: starting Bat man over Tammy... 3: substituting Pulisic instead of Odoi who didn't contribute much or even dribble past Rojo... 4: bringing Pedro at first... LAMPARD should be blamed for the loss bcus he gambled with the game..... he should leave out Man United packing the bus like Newcastle or not... this is the 🏆 we should have at least win this season but he messed up with the team selection.