Man City's Pellegrini hopes to sort out Lampard's future

Sport360 staff 07:15 01/12/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Touch of class: Frank Lampard scores Manchester City’s second of the match with Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand unable to block his shot

    Frank Lampard will struggle to tear himself away from Manchester City’s title battle with former club Chelsea to join New York City FC, admits Manuel Pellegrini.

    Former England midfielder Lampard is due to end his Etihad Stadium loan stint in January and link up with new club New York, after leaving Chelsea last summer.

    The 36-year-old’s collected finish cemented City’s vital 3-0 victory at Southampton that moves Pel­legrini’s side second in the table.

    The Chilean reiterated City will hold talks with Lampard and MLS franchise New York to find a solu­tion to suit all parties.

    “That’s why we’re going to have to make the best decision for him, for the club, for New York City, for everyone,” said Pellegrini.

    “I will continue to answer this question in the same way: we are going to decide in December when we have to make the decision, what will happen with Frank.”

    He added: “I don’t think anyone can find it strange the way Frank Lampard plays football, he knows all what you must do to win in this sport. He’s very happy here and we’re very happy with him.”

    The assured visitors even shrugged off referee Mike Jones denying Sergio Aguero a clear pen­alty in the first half, and also Jones’ decision to show a red card to defender Eliaquim Mangala.

    Ronald Koeman’s men battled hard against City but in the event Manuel Pellegrini’s men possessed more than enough nous to prevail.

    Hacked down by Fonte in the game’s first significant act, Aguero scrambled to his knees expecting a penalty but Jones had other ideas however, booking the Argentina striker for diving.

    Suitably aware just how far their luck had been stretched in a nervy first 15 minutes, Saints suddenly settled. Victor Wanyama fired a rak­ing crossfield ball to Ryan Bertrand, and in a flash the game changed.

    Graziano Pelle failed to connect with Dusan Tadic’s cross, but Ste­ven Davis collected the loose ball and blasted goalwards.

    Joe Hart parried desperately into the box, but despite the danger City cleared.

    Nathaniel Clyne’s bad defensive read then gifted City the chance of the half.

    The Saints full-back raced out of the line only to realise far too late that Jesus Navas was hot favourite for the loose ball.

    The Spaniard hustled onwards and sent Stevan Jovetic racing in on goal.

    The Montenegro striker then had the half’s sole gilt-edged chance, but could only fire straight at Fraser Forster.

    In the ensuing scramble Saints cleared the ball off the line, further frustrating City’s efforts.

    Saints opened the second half with two long-range efforts, but neither could test Hart.

    The hosts’ ambition eventu­ally caught them cold when a loose pass allowed Fernandinho to pick Clyne’s pocket.

    The astute Brazil midfielder continued to hustle, dis­possessed Wanyama on the edge of Saints’ area – and teed up Toure.

    The towering Ivorian picked his spot and slotted the ball past For­ster, via a small deflection.

    Mangala was then dismissed for a second yellow card, after taking out Shane Long when the Saints striker was about to edge through on goal.

    Lampard killed the clash, howev­er, coolly driving home after sloppy Saints play invited City to counter.

    Refusing to allow the game to meander to a close, Clichy capped another fine City raid, blasting high into Forster’s net following a fine team move.

    Southampton manager Koeman admitted his side’s lack of attack­ing acumen let them down.

    He said: “It is far harder to create chances against a team like Manchester City: that was not good enough from us, and we got punished.” 

    Recommended