Two-goal Lampard helps Chelsea go top

Jan 28, 2010 - 3:07 AM By ALEX CROOK STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Carlo Ancelotti hailed two-goal hero Frank Lampard as 'irreplaceable' after he guided Chelsea to a comfortable 3-0 home win over Birmingham and took the Blues back to the top of the Premier League.

Ancelotti's side have now won 34 out of a possible 36 points at Stamford Bridge under his stewardship and his side firmly cemented their title credentials with a dominant performance against an in-form Birmingham.

Ancelotti said: "We played some very good football and after the first goal we looked very solid.

"We didn't look like letting them get back into the game and so I am pleased.

"I said to the players they had to show why we have been top for so long and I think they did that.

"In particular Frank was fantastic today, he finished his goals very well. He is a vital player to this team.

"We are back on top of the league and now we prove we can stay there until the end of the season."

Birmingham came into the tie with the chance to equal Nottingham Forest's 1994/95 season record of 13 matches unbeaten for a newly-promoted side in the top flight.

But after Florent Malouda ghosted into the Birmingham box on five minutes to nod home Joe Cole's pinpoint cross, Chelsea comfortably dominated proceedings.

Joe Cole twice went close to doubling the home side's lead with rasping long-range efforts which had Joe Hart scrambling as Birmingham struggled to get out of their own half.

And on the half-hour, Lampard \2013 in tandem with the ever-impressive Joe Cole and midfield partner Deco \2013 deservedly doubled Chelsea's lead, creating a few yards of room on the edge of the Birmingham box before precisely drilling a shot past Hart.

The goal brought a slightly more adventurous approach from Birmingham, with the livewire Cameron Jerome going close with a deflected effort \2013 but despite the added enterprise, further Chelsea goals seemed inevitable.

Ancelotti's side began the second period with the same intent as the first, as their incisive and free-flowing passing game threatened to embarrass a Birmingham side who have otherwise been one of the meanest in the league all season.

However, Chelsea's expected third did not come until the final minute, when the irrepressible Lampard once again cut through Birmingham's defence before slotting coolly past the on-rushing Hart.

The defeat brings an end to Birmingham's staggering 15-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, but still leaves Alex McLeish's side still well-placed for an unlikely tilt at a European finish.

McLeish said: "I don't think we played that badly but Chelsea were irresistible.

"Once they got their noses in front they were impossible to break down and I don't think any side can live with them when they are in that mood.

"We had a couple of half-chances when the score was two-nil, but you have to take them to have any chance against this Chelsea side.

"If you give them a sniff they are going to punish you and they did."