Frank Lampard: 'It was important not to lose'

Frank Lampard has admitted that Chelsea's Premier League stalemate with Manchester United was probably down to both sides' fear of losing an early-season match against their title rivals.

There were few clear-cut chances in the goalless draw at Old Trafford on Monday, and Jose Mourinho's late substitution of John Obi Mikel for Andre Schurrle suggested that the Blues were content with a point.

This was an approach indicated further by the post-match comments from Lampard, who believes that the lack of goalscoring opportunities was down to the two teams cancelling each other out.

He told Sky Sports News: "It's tense. People talk about decider games, but it's early on in the season and neither side wants to lose. It was a bit of stalemate in those terms.

"We worked very hard to try and not let them through. The threat they have got up front, we worked hard to stop that, and they worked hard to stop us."

Lampard has played 90 minutes in all three of Chelsea's matches so far this season, from which the Blues have taken seven points.