Chelsea star James

“It was our best performance of the season in complete terms,” said Lampard.

“Sheffield United are a really strong team. They’re very good at taking momentum in games and they did that in the early stages.

“We didn’t deal with it brilliantly and of course the goal we’re not happy with. The reaction was important, and the reaction from the team in the rest of the game was spot-on.

“We are in a good place, but the level that has been set by City and Liverpool in the last few years means we have to be in that good place every game and every week.

“That’s the gap we have to close. I certainly won’t jump ahead of myself, albeit I’m really pleased with a lot of the signs from today.”

Premier League manager wages as Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool salaries emerge