LONDON: Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s all-time record scorer, came on as a late substitute for Manchester City and scored their equaliser in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad as the champions ended his former club’s perfect start to the Premier League season on Sunday.

Lampard, who scored 211 goals for Chelsea and is on loan at City from MLS side New York City, scored in the 85th minute after only six minutes on the pitch.

Andre Schuerrle had put league leaders Chelsea ahead in the 71st minute, five minutes after City defender Pablo Zabaleta had been sent off for fouling Diego Costa.

Lampard, third on Chelsea’s all-time appearance list as well as scoring more goals for the club than anyone else, did not celebrate the goal which ended Chelsea’s perfect start to the season although they stayed three points clear at the top with 13 points from their first five matches.

“It’s a really difficult one. I’d be unprofessional if I came on and didn’t do my job so I’m mixed with it,” he told Sky Sports.

“I’m obviously pleased that the side I came on for got a draw. It’s come up, I’m a professional and I didn’t expect to come on and score. I’m stuck in the middle.

“The Chelsea fans were singing my name and it was an emotional day. It’s not how I expected to say goodbye to the Chelsea fans. I woke up this morning and didn’t know what I wanted from today so I’m glad it’s out of the way. I guess this is a happy medium.”

The result left Manchester City in sixth place on eight points, and their draw meant they had a better day than their arch-rivals Manchester United, involved in one of the most astonishing Premier League matches for years.

They were twice two goals ahead at Leicester first by 2-0 and then 3-1 with 33 minutes left, but Leicester came back to win 5-3 for their first league win over United since 1998.

It seemed big-spenders United were on course for their first competitive away victory under Louis van Gaal after goals by Robin van Persie, Angel di Maria and Ander Herrera left them 3-1 up with just over 30 minutes remaining.

But a controversial penalty, converted by David Nugent, reduced the Foxes’ deficit to 3-2 after they had got on the scoresheet through Leonardo Ulloa.

Two minutes after Nugent’s penalty, Esteban Cambiasso drew Leicester level at 3-3 before Jamie Vardy, given time and space, made it 4-3 in the 79th minute.

Four minutes later, Ulloa made the game safe for promoted Leicester when, after United’s Tyler Blackett had been sent off for bringing down Vardy in the box, the striker scored his second goal and Leicester’s fifth from the penalty spot.

“How is it possible to give this game away?,” a disbelieving van Gaal told Sky Sports. “We have given the game away. Leicester has proven already in four games that they have a strong character and that when they are 3-1 down, you can play all the game with more possession but you cannot do these kind of things.”

Delighted Leicester boss Nigel Pearson said: “To back up the Stoke win against one of the big forces in English football is very satisfying.

“When you add to that coming from 3-1 down, it is a testament to the quality, belief and spirit amongst us.”

Leicester were one of three surprise winners with West Bromwich Albion climbing off the bottom of the table with a 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur, their first league win of the season.

Crystal Palace came from behind to win 3-2 at Everton in their first victory of the league campaign.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd , 2014