Chelsea finally won their first Premier League game of Frank Lampard's second spell with a comfortable 3-1 defeat of Bournemouth.
But during the game, star summer signing Raheem Sterling was booed by Blues fans as he came on as a sub. Lampard has now hit back at supporters targeting his players, despite their struggles for form this term.
The Chelsea manager has leapt to Sterling's defence, with that intervention coming as it appears his side have lost the race to sign West Ham star Declan Rice in the summer. Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest Chelsea news.
Lampard dismisses jeers
Frank Lampard has leapt to the defence of Raheem Sterling and Hakim Ziyech after the duo were booed during Chelsea's win over Bournemouth. The pair were brought on as substitutes and faced a hostile reception, leaving Lampard unhappy.
"I think all of the subs we made had an impact. Raheem, as you say, was involved in the goal. Hakim came on and gave us an assist and played really well. I think the opinion can always change in a period," he said.
"They’re two players, Hakim and Raheem, that want to do well as football players and they have big talent both of them. If it’s form, it’s very much temporary and I think their class is permanent and I’m pleased for them today having an impact when they came on."
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should Chelsea appoint as their next manager? Comment below.
Rice transfer blow
Chelsea appear to have lost the race to sign Declan Rice, with Arsenal now confident of wrapping up a deal for the midfielder. Rice has just two years remaining on his current contract at West Ham.
That means the Hammers will likely be forced to sell him in the upcoming summer window, with Chelsea one of the teams who had been interested. But having missed out on qualification for Europe, it appears the Blues' hopes have taken a dent.
And with Arsenal on the up, it is the Gunners who have now emerged as the frontrunners to buy the England international. They are set to offer Rice a bumper pay rise to arrive at the Emirates Stadium as one of their highest earners.
Click here to read the full story.
Man handed banning order for homophobic chanting
A 21-year-old man has been handed a three-year banning order after being found guilt of singing a homophobic chant during Chelsea's draw with Everton. Ethan Davies, from Greasby, Wirral, was found guilty of an aggravated Public Order Act offence.
Davies has been fined and given a three year banning order from matches as a result. The news was welcomed by Chelsea Pride, the Blues' LGBT+ fans group, who reminded fans that those found singing homophobic chants will be prosecuted.
In a statement, the group said: "Every game we highlight that homophobic & discrimination of any kind has no place in football & it’s time to kick out the hate & educate. Let’s remind fans, that Homophobic Chant = A Hate Crime, you can be prosecuted."
