Lampard tips Shevchenko to shine

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard expects Sunday's Barclays Premiership clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford to bring the best out of Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko.

Shevchenko has yet to hit top form for the English champions, even though he has scored three goals in his last five games for the Blues. But Lampard believes the high-profile top-of-the-table clash could be the perfect stage for the former AC Milan frontman to make his mark.

"I know the player he is and I've got untold respect for him like I had before he came," said Lampard. "He is a fantastic player and, with Michael Ballack, they are renowned top players in the world. They perform in top games so I am hoping this is the sort of game that will bring the best out of Sheva."

He added: "When he wasn't scoring you could see it hurt him because he is a goalscorer. But he works hard in training and more goals will come."

Lampard does not believe that Sunday's game will have any real bearing on the outcome of the title race.

Chelsea are three points adrift of United and while many pundits claim the clash could decide the destination of the Premiership crown, Lampard is not so sure.

He declared: "It's a must-not-lose game for us. Our intention is to win the game and if not then draw.

"Even if we lose, there is a long way to go. I've been impressed with United - they are playing well. They have hardly dropped a point.

"I believe in us and the better team will be the one that wins the league. Win, lose or draw we have to keep looking at the bigger picture which is to win the league."