Frank Lampard opens up on Chelsea future as Man City leave Blues boss on brink

Frank Lampard admits he faces his biggest test as Chelsea boss after becoming the bookies favourite to be next for the sack.

Lampard is feeling the heat in the wake of his side's 3-1 hammering by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

Three goals in 16 first half minutes from Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne blew the Blues to pieces to render Callum Hudson-Odoi's stoppage time strike irrelevant.

The Blues have now lost four of their last six league games and Lampard admits he is going through some pain – but will keep fighting to survive.

Lamprd, who spent £200m on new signings in the summer, said: "We have to take it on the chin, this is football.

"A month ago people were asking where is this going to go, when are you signing a new contract – and now they're saying the opposite.

"I'll be the first to look at myself. It's normal that we take knocks, but now is a test.

"I am the man to have the reality check and there will be pain at times. This was painful in the first half in football terms, because their level of play showed where we need to aspire to.

"The pressure remains constant and I know that in tough moments it will be there. My job is to lift the players. I do want the best for this club.

"I played here, I understand how everyone looks and asks questions when you lose a few games. I have to be real. This is a difficult period. But we have to keep fighting and I'm the first one to keep fighting."

City will be just one point behind leaders Liverpool and Manchester United if they win their game in hand and Guardiola admits his side's performance reminded him of the ones they produced when winning their previous titles.

He said: "The result is excellent at Stamford Bridge, but the way we played was really great and you can't win titles without playing like that.

"We cannot play like other teams, we have to play in our rhythm and attack in the right moments. We won titles in that way, being more patient.

"The way we won leagues and titles and other things is the way we played here. The tempo we have missed in the past, but here we recovered it.

"We were back like we were. Hopefully in the Premier League in the last six, seven games we can be there fighting."

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