Conor Gallagher has revealed what tactical tweaks Frank Lampard made to ensure Chelsea that secured three points against Bournemouth. The 23-year-old midfielder played a pivotal role in the Blues' 3-1 win over the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon, netting the opener with a well-placed header.
The west Londoners headed into the clash without a win in nine games, while Lampard had lost each of his previous six games as caretaker manager. With Chelsea in desperate need of a win, Gallagher says that the 44-year-old encouraged the players to be more ambitious going forward.
In an interview with the club's official website after the game, the Cobham graduate said: "It felt a lot better. I think everyone seemed a bit more confident in what we were doing and it definitely worked.
READ MORE: Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth as Benoit Badiashile and Noni Madueke excellent in victory
"We created a lot of chances and we controlled the game. It was a good team performance and we just need to carry it on now. The main message from the manager was we need to be more clinical and more ruthless in the final third, with more forward runs, more bodies in the box.
"Obviously everyone knows we have not scored enough goals so to get three in this game was great. It showed the stuff we have been working on worked in this game."
Then, on N'Golo Kante, who provided the assist for Gallagher's effort, the midfielder added: "It was a nice goal. I’ve been making the box whenever I play and it hasn't quite dropped to me as many times as I'd like this season.
"Thankfully this time it came straight to me. I've been trying to make a box as much as I can and I've got a licence to do that in the position I was in so thankfully, it was a great ball from 'NG'.
"'NG' can run all day. He probably made about 100 of those forward runs which is really effective and I think my position is my favourite position and it worked well."
READ NEXT:
Every word Frank Lampard said on Chelsea win, Madueke, Badiashile, Chilwell, Sterling boos
Chelsea player ratings vs Bournemouth as Benoit Badiashile and Noni Madueke excellent in victory
Bournemouth vs Chelsea highlights: Gallagher, Joao Felix and Benoit Badiashile win it for Blues
Ben Chilwell substituted with suspected hamstring injury during Chelsea vs Bournemouth
Transfer news LIVE: Latest news, views and rumours from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham