Lampard claims first Chelsea win at St Patrick's

Frank Lampard claimed his first win as Chelsea manager at the second attempt with a comfortable 4-0 victory at Irish club St Patrick's Athletic on Saturday.

First-half goals from Mason Mount and Emerson Palmieri were followed up with an Olivier Giroud brace after the break, sealing the win at Richmond Park in Dublin after the Blues were held to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday at Bohemians.

"We should have scored more goals but there were big elements of the performance we were pleased with, particularly in the first half," Lampard said afterwards. "Some of our build-up play and combinations in midfield and around their box was fantastic."

Mount, who scored 11 times for Lampard during his loan spell at Derby County last season, got Chelsea off the mark with 15 minutes played when he latched on to Jorginho's through ball and slotted past goalkeeper Barry Murphy for his first ever Chelsea goal.

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Emerson doubled the lead just past the half-hour mark when he made the most of the time afforded him on the edge of the box to hit a low strike from range past Murphy, who did not respond quickly enough to parry the full-back's shot.

Lampard made the full complement of changes at the break, and his new-look XI took until midway through the second half to add to the scoreline when Kenedy's cross from the left was guided home by Giroud on the half-volley. The France striker got his second and Chelsea's fourth as full-time approached, turning in from the left flank with the ball at his feet and finishing into the far bottom corner.

"These games are important to win for the feeling but it's also important for the lads to get every little bit out of them physically and in terms of how hard they work. It was a good exercise in that sense," Lampard said. "We're one step further on -- there were better periods of play, better quality from us, but the physical side is something we're still striving for."

Lampard also said that the health status of N'Golo Kante has improved. 

"He's been training on his own with the physios this week because he's still feeling the effects of his injury from the end of last season and we just want to be careful with him," he said. 'It's not a big problem. We know he's a fit boy and he has a great attitude so the last thing we want to do is push him too early."

Chelsea will now travel to Japan where they face Kawasaki Frontale on July 19.