Chelsea goal hero Lampard backs Scolari and declares: We're all behind the boss
Chelsea hero Frank Lampard insists his goal celebration was a public demonstration that the entire squad is behind under-fire coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Lampard smashed home a last-gasp winner to cap a stirring fightback by the Blues and seal his 400th appearance for the club in amazing style.
Stoke were on the brink of a shock win at Stamford Bridge thank to Rory Delap's 59th-minute opener.
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Last minute: Lamapard celebrates after winning the game for Chelsea at the end
But substitute Juliano Belletti equalised in the 87th minute and Lampard completed a tremendous late comeback with the winner in the final moments of stoppage time.
The England midfielder then ran to the technical area to embrace Scolari and was soon joined by the whole team for an celebratory group hug.
'We are all behind him,' declared Lampard. 'It is difficult when people keep try to say things to split things up.
'The manager first of all is a very good man and he has been a very successful manager for a long time.
'Hopefully that success is going to come here. The last month has been difficult. We're in a moment where we make one mistake in a game and we are punished every time.
'We have had countless chances, but keepers are making amazing saves. It's one of those moments. We can only get through them together and I think it showed.'
Lampard is now hoping the victory could prove to be a turning point in their season.
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Joy: Chelsea players celebrate with Scolari (second left) after Lampard's winner
Chelsea are still in the Barclays Premier League title hunt but have lost Joe Cole for the rest of the campaign with knee ligament damage.
The Blues have already dropped 14 points at home and they know Stamford Bridge must become a fortress again if they are to have any chance of regaining the championship.
'There are always pivotal moments in seasons where you think that changed something there and hopefully this can be that,' said Lampard. 'This could be a turning point as long as we follow through with it.
'We've lost to all the big teams, we're not happy about that but we're still in the mixer because everyone's dropping points.
Scolari insists he would vote his vice-captain as the world's best player should he ever be polled for his opinion in the future and Lampard was particularly proud to have reached the milestone of 400 appearances for the club.
'This club has become my life," said Lampard. 'It has been eight years now and I wouldn't have believed when I came here that I would get to make 400 appearances and have the kind of success I have had here.
'I didn't realise I was 400 games old, I just hope I have a lot more to come.'
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