London: Seeing Frank Lampard level the scores for Manchester City against former club Chelsea was a “weird” experience, according to the London side’s centre-back Gary Cahill.
The Blues were well on the way to winning the heavyweight clash against title rivals City on Sunday, with substitute Andre Schuerrle putting them 1-0 in front shortly after Pablo Zabaleta’s sending off handed them the initiative.
But it was the familiar figure of Chelsea’s record goalscorer Lampard — in the unfamiliar light blue of City — who ensured the spoils were shared with a trademark run into the box and a calm volleyed finish.
The former England midfielder, on a short-term loan from his new employers New York City following 13 years at Stamford Bridge, had mixed emotions about his first strike for the club and he was not the only one to feel unusual about his decisive cameo.
Cahill told Chelseafc.com: “It was weird of course because you think of Frank in a Chelsea shirt.
“It’s been that way for many, many years. We’ve seen him score that kind of goal so many times over the years.”
Schuerrle added: “It’s strange to see him in another shirt.
“We wanted to win this match but he scored for Man City. Of course it’s nice for him to get his first goal but we wanted the win and we were very close to that.”
The German forward, who tapped in for his second goal of the season, conceded Chelsea were well-placed to take maximum points from the game.
“It was important not to lose, that’s what our goal was,” he said.
“But when you’re so close to winning and you’re a man in front, obviously it’s disappointing not to win, but we have to keep going now and win the next match.”
