Press Conference: Frank Lampard on Giroud, Gilmour and Mount after Everton victory

Chelsea extended their grasp on fourth place in the Premier League with a 4-0 victory against Everton at Stamford Bridge. Mason Mount’s superb turn and shot from the edge of the penalty area put the home side in front on 12 minutes. Pedro doubled the Blues' advantage on 21 minutes. Six minutes after half-time, Willian cracked in Chelsea's third from distance, before Olivier Giroud made it 4-0 three minutes later. During the game, two Chelsea youngsters - Faustino Anjorin and Armando Broja made their debuts. Following the game, Frank Lampard faced the press. "Everything came together. You will always need your squad. We have had a lot of injuries, but the only way to tackle that is to trust in each other. When Billy is 18 and comes in it is not a problem. Today there was pure focus, but we can’t get carried away," said Lampard. When asked is this a second wind for the Blues, Lampard answered: "I am a bit wary to say that. We go to Villa and we have to replicate that. We have struggled with inconsistencies. We have to work as we worked today to show that we can finish." On young players, the boss added: "It is a balance. Everyone can bring that energy" Giroud scored again for the Blues and on the matter, Lampard said: "He is. When you know Oli and attributes he has, you can play around him. He is playing really well, fantastic in the changing room." Senior players are examples for youth and Lampard adds Kepa in the list of that senior side: "You can talk about Kepa as well. He has shown character and a brave moment. Ross Barkley, Marcos Alonso and coming in to perform. You have to perform in training and contribute. They have done that." The boss also spoke about the top-four race: "Still a long way to go. We have to focus on ourselves. It’s in our hands, but when I said underdogs I was talking about big scheme. There is a long way to go." Billy Gilmour replaced injured Jorginho: "He is receiving the ball in difficult places on the pitch. You need the confidence to do that. Jorginho has it and Billy has it. He showed that in the first half, but then played higher up the pitch. He can do both." Asked whether the team have a maturity now, Lampard answered: "I don’t think we are there yet. I would rather say that midway through May or after the last game. We want to keep working and a bigger picture. We need to look up at the gap. There is so much." On Ross Barkley and Mason Mount, the boss said: "I am not going to lie and say I had concerns, but they had a lot more work off the ball. But they had the capacity for it. But to use it both ways and protect Billy. They gave us that and were offensive. I thought the midfield balance was there." Chelsea are now five points clear of fifth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United, who are in sixth with a match in hand. Source: Football.london

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