(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-03-14 09:16

LONDON - England midfielder Frank Lampard struck four goals on Wednesday as Chelsea rebounded from its FA Cup reverse at Barnsley at the weekend to defeat Derby 6-1 in the Premier League.

Chelsea's Frank Lampard celebrates after scoring his fourth goal against Derby County during their English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London March 12, 2008. [Agencies]

Lampard, who was left out of Saturday's match, scored from the penalty spot in the 28th minute after he was fouled by Dean Leacock. He added three more in the second half to record his fourth career hat trick and his first for Chelsea.

Lampard's fellow England international Joe Cole and Cote d'Ivoire's Salomon Kalou scored the other goals while David Jones notched a late consolation for struggling Derby.

Chelsea moved to within five points of Arsenal, which tops the standings with 66 points from 29 games and is two ahead of champion Manchester United, a game in hand.

Aston Villa, chasing a Champions League spot, was held 1-1 by Middlesbrough at Villa Park.

Stewart Downing scored midway through the first half for Middlesbrough with England midfielder Gareth Barry equalizing for the home side with a second-half penalty after Luke Young was judged to have handled Ashley Young's shot.

Portsmouth's former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe continued his recent run of prolific form with two early goals for the FA Cup semifinalists at home to Birmingham City.

Fabrice Muamba and Sebastian Larsson scored for Birmingham to bring the sides level before Hermann Hreidarsson and Nwankwo Kanu sealed a 4-2 win.

Frustrated over Chelsea future

Lampard has told Chelsea he wants his future sorted out as the Premier League club continue to stall over a new contract.

The England midfielder is running out of patience over his contract situation, which could remain in limbo until the summer.

Lampard, who scored four goals in Chelsea's 6-1 demolition of Derby on Wednesday, insists he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge but is perplexed by the lack of an offer.

"I've been approached a few times by the club saying they are going to come to me with something and they haven't," said Lampard.

"That means they're saying they will have to wait until the summer and I don't really know what that means. I said at the beginning of the season I didn't want to talk about my contract because I wanted to concentrate on my football.

"They have made contact but it hasn't been with any news. They've been saying that something is going to happen but if we wait until the summer and nothing happens, then I've got a year left, which is not a position I want to be in.

"I've made it clear I want to stay here and I want to know what's going on. I love playing for this club, I'm enjoying the greatest days of my career.

"Every time I run out for the club I don't think about the contract but when I am at home I would like it to be sorted out. It's dragged on this season and that's not ideal for me."

Coach Avram Grant refuses to talk about Chelsea's contract negotiations, saying it is not his area.

Grant believes Lampard will stay, but Chelsea are in danger of losing one of their biggest assets if they do not open negotiations before the end of the campaign.

Lampard took his goal tally for the club to 107 in almost seven years with his four-goal haul as Chelsea's victory over Derby put them right back in the title race.

They are now just five points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.

Both Arsenal and second-placed Manchester United are still to visit Stamford Bridge and those games are likely to have a major bearing on the destination of the Barclays Premier League crown.