Brentford extended Frank Lampard's winless start as caretaker Chelsea manager to eight games on Wednesday night, courtesy of an own goal from Cesar Azpilicueta and a late strike from Bryan Mbuemo. While Thomas Frank's side broke into the top-half of the Premier League table, the Blues edged closer to the relegation zone.
Of course, it's unlikely that Chelsea fall out of the top-flight but, with four of their last six games against the current top-four, the west Londoners are in for a very difficult end to the campaign. Ahead of the treacherous run-in, Lampard has explained where he hopes to draw confidence from.
"That's just a reality, we've got a really tough run-in," said the interim boss. "Three of those top four games are away from home. I don't think it's worth going one step further than the next one at the minute, which is Arsenal.
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"So the team have to be motivated, there's a lot on it. Even though people go 'there's not much on it for you, you're not going to get in Europe, you're not going to get relegated'.
"At the same time you have be individually motivated. I thought today they were. Then you have to keep fighting for the turn. I've been a player in a moment, maybe not similar to exactly now, but individually.
"Sometimes you rely on a teammate who is in great confidence, great nick and they get you a result on a night like tonight. At the minute we're in a collective moment like that."
So, with that said, football.london has taken a look at Chelsea's next fixtures as Lampard hopes to finally end his winless start as caretaker boss.
Arsenal (A) – Premier League – May 2
Chelsea's first fixture of May is likely the hardest they will face in the run-in, despite all three prior to a meeting with current league leaders Arsenal being very difficult tests. In north London, Mikel Arteta's side have dropped points in just three games.
Despite being over two weeks away this game has already caused some controversy after being moved from the previous Saturday evening. The decision came after the Metropolitan Police held a new Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meeting, coming to the conclusion the game had to be moved.
Nonetheless, the clash does arrive directly in the middle of Arsenal's title charge and with likely nothing to play for by this point, Chelsea could secure a result that has major title ramifications.
Bournemouth (A) - Premier League - May 6
Next up is a clash at the Vitality Stadium against relegation-threatened Bournemouth. With seven matches remaining, six points separates the Cherries and the bottom three meaning they could still be fighting for Premier League safety come May 6.
While they have struggled in patches this season, Gary O'Neill's side are no pushovers on their own patch, beating Liverpool in March and securing an unlikely point against Newcastle the previous month. They also bagged a late winner against Tottenham so they can be a force to be reckoned with.
Nottingham Forest (H) - Premier League - May 13
This could be the final game of the Premier League season which Chelsea can be confident of winning – and even then it could still be a steep ask. After welcoming Forest to west London, the Blues must still face Manchester City and Manchester United – a pair of very difficult fixtures.
Manchester City (A) - Premier League - May 21
After City brushed aside their title rivals fairly easily at the Etihad Stadium, it could be about damage limitation for Chelsea. Pep Guardiola's side stormed past Arsenal 4-1, with goals from Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones and Erling Haaland, as the reigning champions look to defend their crown.
If the Gunners struggled to breakdown City, then you can only imagine the mountainous task the Blues have on their plate. If Chelsea can't secure wins against the Cherries or Forest beforehand, Lampard's winless streak could quickly go into double figures.
Manchester United (A) - Premier League - May 25
Another tough, tough fixture in May for Chelsea – and it won't get any easier with Newcastle to follow the pair of Manchester giants. The Red Devils will be desperate to hold onto a top-four place so Erik Ten Hag will have his side fired up to lock horns with the Blues.
Liverpool next five fixtures:
Tottenham (H) - April 30
Fulham (H) - May 3
Brentford (H) - May 6
Leicester City (A) - May 15
Aston Villa (H) - May 20
Manchester United next five fixtures:
Tottenham (A) - April 27
Aston Villa (H) - April 30
Brighton (A) - May 4
West Ham (A) - May 7
Wolves (H) - May 13
Tottenham next five fixtures:
Manchester United (H) - April 27
Liverpool (A) - April 30
Crystal Palace (H) - May 6
Aston Villa (A) - May 13
Brentford (H) - May 20
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