MICH PICKINGS
Batshuayi fires early opener in Lampard’s first game as Chelsea boss but Bohemians grab late equaliser in friendly draw
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Even by Chelsea’s standards, it did not take long.
After the Dublin club scored an 89th minute equaliser on the night of Frank Lampard’s first game, there were chants from the home fans of “you’re getting sacked in the morning.”
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It was, of course, good natured in what was always going to be a low-key start to a new era.
Old Trafford will be the venue for Frank Lampard’s first Premier League game as Chelsea’s manager on August 11.
This match could not have been staged in more contrasting surrounding, the less than salubrious Dalymount Park in Dublin.
Lampard stood in the technical area as Chelsea boss for the first time and had no worries about any stick from home fans behind the dugout.
This is because two of the stadium’s stands are too old and dangerous to house spectators.
A few of Chelsea’s players have also looked condemned but Lampard stuck to his word and gave run-outs to the Stamford Bridge misfits.
Lampard played two completely different teams in each half with Kenedy, Danny Drinkwater and Michy Batshuayi, who hammered the eighth minute goal, all starting.
There was also an appearance for Tiemoue Bakayoko, who spent last year at Milan.
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But you have to wonder how many of these players will be lining up against Manchester United next month.
While there were also appearances for a number of Chelsea’s youngsters, they were eclipsed in terms of age by second-half Bohemians substitute Evan Ferguson who is just 14 - and nearly scored.
Chelsea’s squad was so big that the Dublin club gave them the home dressing room and the players’ bar.
Lampard's men have another game in Dublin on Saturday against St Patrick’s before heading to Japan to play Kawasaki Frontale and Barcelona.
Bohemians, who are in the middle of their domestic season, charged 30 euros to watch the game, double the normal amount, although they will have enjoyed Eric Molloy's late goal.
And Chelsea supporters who paid £10.99 to see the pre-season games online complained that the site kept crashing, forcing the club into an apology.
As is often the case in these sort of games, the fans did not miss much.
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Lampard, though, was happy enough with the young Blues.
He said: "It was a tough first game for us as we have not been back for long. Just a few days.
"So there had been some pressure on the lads and we have been working them very hard. I am pleased with the outcome.
"Fitness was our issue. I wanted to stretch them a bit and put them under pressure.
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"This is what pre-season is all about and the quicker we get there, to the level we want, then the better. We wanted to win the game as you always do but it is not about that.
"It is about individuals getting fit and pushing themselves to the limit and I thought some of the performances – particularly from the younger lads – was really good."
The 41-year-old added that a number of senior players will be back for the game against St Pat's on Saturday.
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