There have been times — rather a lot of them, in fact — when it has felt like the tables have stopped turning at Stamford Bridge. Or the record is scratched and the same loop stutters over and over again.
Another week under Frank Lampard, another dash of attacking brilliance undone by defensive chaos.
Again after this 3-3 draw with Southampton, the manager was forced to explain individual errors and shield his hapless keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.


‘It’s my job,’ he insisted. But then came a change of tune, or at least a change of tone.