Frank Lampard hails Noni Madueke and Carney Chukwuemeka in Manchester United loss

Despite their loss to Manchester United, Chelsea interim manager, Frank Lampard, singled out the Nigerian-heritage duo of Noni Madueke and Carney Chukwuemeka alongside club captain, Ceasar Azpilicueta for praise.

The Blues were beaten 4-1 in Manchester, in what is their second defeat in the northwest in a matter of days.

The score line doesn’t tell the whole story, though, with the Blues playing some decent attacking football but with a lack of end product – something they’ve become accustomed to throughout what has been a disastrous season.

Carney Chukwuemeka started his first game since the 1-0 win against Crystal Palace way back in the middle of January while Noni Madueke came back into the side for Lampard.

However, despite putting out an attacking side against United, Lampard was impressed by three players in particular as he suffered his eighth defeat in 10 matches since returning to the club.

“It has been one of the harder parts of my job with the numbers in the squad – the balance of going with a team you feel can win games and having time to work with the younger players who you haven’t seen before,” Lampard to club website.

“Normally there is the process of a pre-season and time, and you can work and talk and train. We haven’t had that sort of time.

“Unfortunately Carney hasn’t had an opportunity from me until Thursday night but he did well and Noni [Madueke] did pretty well again.”