Frank Lampard has admitted it was vital that Chelsea beat Manchester City at Stamford Bridge tonight in order to stay in the title race.
The England midfielder came off the bench to net a decisive penalty as the Blues ended City's unbeaten start to the league with a 2-1 victory.
"We needed to win really to stay in the race. Ten points was a huge gap and luckily we have closed that," said Lampard.
The Chelsea stalwart did confess he was relieved to convert the spot kick, given for a handball against Joleon Lescott, after missing his last attempt from 12 yards against Newcastle.
"You have got to be big enough to stand up and take them. It is easier to stand aside and let someone else take it, not for the want of myself but for the want of winning for the team.
"I was very relieved when it hit the back of the net."
With the result, Chelsea climbed to third in the Premier League and reduced the gap between them and league leaders City to seven points.
