Chelsea 2-1 Stoke City: Late Lampard winner take heat off Scolari

Frank Lampard marked his 400th appearance for the club with a dramatic winner in injury-time.

Butperhaps his celebrations said more about Chelsea than the goal, as he raced down the touchline and sparked a frenzied celebration with boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was buried under an avalanche of his players' bodies.

Talk of a disintegrating Chelsea dressing room has been rife for weeks.

And the show of unity that followed Lampard's goal was as much about sticking two fingers up at the critics as it was about getting three crucial points in the title race - when none had looked likely.

Scolari said: "The celebrations marked huge relief around the club.

"We have struggled recently but the players showed great heart and we were more together today.

"I think this is the first time we have scored a goal in the last minute. We have certainly conceded more than we have scored.

"But the spirit of the group improved after the Manchester United result.

"We made many mistakes in that game and afterwards we discussed many things about our performance and tried to address them.

"Andthe players came to me because we are all in it together. The players, all the staff and me.

"I justhappened to be in front but I understand they are happy but I am more happy than they think as well."

Scolari was overwhelmed by Lampard's contribution.

"Frank Lampard marked his 400th appearance with a goal and a great performance and this is history and will be remembered for life.

"If I was ever to vote for one player it would be Lampard.

He is a real man. He likes his job, likes his friends and plays with total commitment.

"He is a fantastic man and playerandIwouldn't swap him for anyone in the world."

But Scolari denied that he was under any more pressure thanhehas been since he took charge of Chelsea.

"The pressure is always the same. You are under pressure to win and that won't change."

Scolari also revealed the back injury sustained by Terry during the warm-up will only keep him out for a few days.

"Heinjured his back and was in no condition to play but I am assured it is nothing serious andhe will be back training in a matter of days."

While Scolari was celebrating victory, the defeat left Stoke manager Tony Pulis feeling completely sick.

"We were two minutes away from celebrating an historic victory. How do you think I feel?" he said.

"The result killed us. We knew coming here we would have to defend, but to concede two goals so late on is hard to stomach.

"But I can't fault my players and the commitment they showed.

"Theycompeted throughout and I'm very proud of them."

Chelsea had no fewer than 17 shots in the first half and only desperate defending, poor finishing and an inspired performance from Thomas Sorenson, who pulled off at least five world class saves, prevented a rout.

Sadly that's been the story of Chelsea's season of late and invariably they have gone onto to be punished for failing to take their chances.

Step forward throw-in specialist Rory Delap, who turned the game on its head in the 60th minute.

James Beattie, who had been having a largely unimpressive debut, chested the ball down and threaded it through to Delap who burst into the area and held off both Ashley Cole andAlex before lifting the ball over the advancing Petr Cech.

Chelsea naturally laid siege to the Stoke goal and the game took another dramatic twist just as Stoke fans taunted Scolari with chants of "your getting sackedin the morning".

With two minutes left Juliano Belletti headed home at the far post and as the game looked to be heading for a draw, Lampard fired home deep into injury-time to send home fans into ecstasy.