What Chelsea Boss Said About Abraham's Incredible Goal, Provides Injury Update On No. 9

With eight goals to his name, Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham is now the joint top goalscorer in the English Premier League alongside Manchester City's Argentina international Sergio Aguero after finding the net against Southampton on Sunday afternoon.

Seventeen minutes into the contest at St Mary's Stadium, the number nine lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net and the goal was given as Southampton's Maya Yoshida didn't get back in time to clear the ball off the line.

Speaking post-match, Chelsea coach Frank Lampard hailed Abraham for his brilliant goal and added that he proved a handful for the Southampton defenders.

''Tammy’s goal was incredible to get the purchase and the contact on the ball to get it and then Mason steps up,'' said  Lampard to reporters.

Asked if it was confidence that made Abraham score the goal, he replied : ''It’s confidence. When people are in good form, things happen for them. And that comes from how Tammy has handled himself all season form the early moments when people were questioning him. The work ethic behind the scenes that gets him in such good nick.

''He’s not just a handful for defenders, he has good feet, holds up the ball well. He is also getting goals which is brilliant for him.

''I trusted in Tammy at the start of the season. I felt it was his time to come back to Chelsea. I know people point to the circumstances but he has Olly Giroud - a World Cup winner. And Batshuayi who is a great Premier League striker too in my opinion.

''He has made the position his own in the short term. Over the season we will need everybody and he deserves a great start to the season. I will keep on him because I want more''.

Providing an update on Abraham's injury, Lampard said : ''He took a bang on the back of the knee but I think he just wanted a round of applause.''

Abraham and another Nigerian Federation target Fikayo Tomori have been included in the latest England squad for their upcoming games against Czech Republic and Bulgaria and both players would become cap-tied to the Three Lions if they feature in any of the two European Championship qualifiers.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com