The 2-1 loss allowed Manchester United to close the gap on Chelsea to two points in the battle to be crowned champions, although Carlo Ancelotti's men do have a superior goal difference after their recent scoring spree.

So unusual is it for Lampard to fail with a penalty, Mark Hughes admitted he was certain Chelsea were about to draw level once Nedum Onuoha had flattened Didier Drogba eight minutes from time.

But Shay Given proved the equal of a poorly-taken effort and with Drogba also sending a shot wide in the final stages when he might easily have done better, the Blues travelled home on the end of their first defeat in six games.

However, there will be no additional repercussions for Lampard, who retains his manager's faith.

"So, Lampard can miss a penalty," said Ancelotti.

"These things happen. It is no problem. He will take the next one."

Indeed, Ancelotti adopted a rather sanguine view of the whole performance.

Chelsea might have been pressed back for long spells and his diamond formation might have been exposed by the impressive industry of Nigel de Jong but the Italian saw no need for recriminations.

He was even admirably restrained in his condemnation of referee Howard Webb, who decided Micah Richards had not handled in the build-up to Emmanuel Adebayor's equaliser and that Ricardo Carvalho could have avoided planting his foot in Carlos Tevez's back, a decision which provided City with the free-kick from which Tevez drove home the winner.

"I don't know what the referee saw," said Ancelotti.

"It was handball against Richards and Carvalho played the ball clean.

"I am surprised because I consider Howard Webb to be a fantastic referee."

Ancelotti does not share the general view that a week that started with a Carling Cup exit at Blackburn represents failure.

Neither does he feel there is anything to trouble him over a newly tight-fought title duel.

"We don't have any reason to be worried," he said.

"It will be a race until the end of the season but we are still top of the league and have two more points than Manchester United so we do not need anything extra."

Chelsea's six bookings will mean an automatic FA fine, although Ancelotti did confirm that one of the men cautioned, England skipper John Terry, should be available for next weekend's encounter with Everton despite limping off with a knee injury.