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Lampard vows to see out his Chelsea contract

Frank Lampard has been forced to accept he is no longer guaranteed a start at Chelsea © PA Photos

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• Profile: Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard insists he has no intention of leaving Chelsea despite his frustration at his failure to hold down a place in the Blues' starting XI.

Lampard came off the bench to score the winner as Chelsea ended Manchester City's unbeaten start to the Premier League season. The 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge saw Andre Villas-Boas' side move to within seven points of the league leaders.

Lampard was left out of the starting XI for the second match in succession, but despite reports linking the England international with a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, Lampard insists he will honour his Chelsea contract.

"I want to play and I'm at my best when I play, but now I'm in and out. I'm 33 - I understand that - but I want to keep playing regularly because I know I've got a lot to give," Lampard told Sky Sports. "I've got 18 months left and I'll be here that long, and I'll keep trying my hardest."

Villas-Boas revealed after the match that Juan Mata was the designated spot-kick taker, but Lampard had convinced the Spaniard to step aside. And having missed with his last two attempts, Lampard admitted he was relieved to find the target.

"I missed a penalty a few weeks ago and it's always tough, especially having taken so many against [Joe] Hart with England," Lampard said. "He's the last person I want to take a penalty against but thankfully it went in.

"You've got to be big enough to take them. You can stand on the side and let somebody else take it but you've got to do it for the team and I was relieved when it hit the back of the net.

"Man City have been the top team in the league this year, some of the football they've played - even tonight - has been brilliant and we needed to win really. Ten points is a huge gap."

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