Frank Lampard insists Chelsea, who play Manchester United on Sunday, are still well placed to catch Liverpool at the top of the Premier League despite dropping valuable points over the Christmas period.

Chelsea's draws away to Fulham and Everton allowed Rafael Benitez's side to open up their lead in the Premier League, but Lampard is confident his side will get back on track at Old Trafford.

"A game against Manchester United will always be a table-topping clash and it's in our minds that we dropped some relatively easy points over the last few weeks, so we're in a position now where we really want to get a result," he said. "We go to win the game or not to get beaten. There is still a long way to go regardless but it is a very important game."

Chelsea are three points behind Liverpool, with six draws from their past ten games.

"The publicity around Chelsea now is that if you drop a few points people jump on it straight away, but Liverpool and United have dropped points, no-one has pulled away from us, and Arsenal are behind us," Lampard said. "It's the same for everyone, now we're starting all pretty much level. We need to start this part of the season strongly."