Frank Lampard's decision to give Edouard Mendy his first minutes of 2023 in a Chelsea shirt backfired after less than 15 minutes as the goalkeeper found himself in no man's land for Taiwo Awoniyi's opening goal at Stamford Bridge.
The in-form Nigerian forward beat Mendy and Chelsea's defence to a cross from the left-hand-side and punished a Blues side that had started with almost all of the ball. Despite the possession at SW6, there were no chances to show for their dominance on the ball, an all too familiar story for Lampard.
Having continued to select Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal despite dropping the Spaniard throughout his first spell in charge, Lampard turned back to Mendy for the first time in his interim role. His lack of conviction and ultimate mistake from the 31-year-old proved costly for his side, though.
