On a wet weekend in west London it was raining goals against Sunderland, and both players and staff were delighted.

A second 5-0 win of the season moved us back to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday, with some excellent passing moves on a slick, greasy pitch putting Roy Keane's men to the sword.

It was also a day of milestones as Alex scored the club's 1000th goal of the Premier League era, while Frank Lampard hit his 100th career goal in the league, and was understandably pleased.

'It's great for Chelsea, the 1000th goal, and for me, a great milestone and I'm very proud,' he said after his header.

'I have been playing a few years now, and virtually all those with 100 goals are strikers so it's nice to be amongst them.'

Lampard's first professional goals came while a West Ham player on loan at Swansea in late 1995. He has come a long way since.

'It was a different situation to what we have at Chelsea now,' he recalled. 'It was very much a learning curve for me and I have great memories of that and then onwards. To get to 100 goals is something I am very proud of.'

On the afternoon though, Lampard's exploits were eclipsed by Nicolas Anelka, who claimed a first Chelsea hat-trick with a series of close-range strikes.

Both the midfielder and assistant first team coach Ray Wilkins were impressed with the Frenchman.

'For Nic to score three, I thought he was very impressive and worked extremely hard for the team,' Wilkins began. 'That's how he has been playing this season, and he has been rewarded with the goals that he has scored.'

Anelka was joined up front by the returning Didier Drogba for the last half-hour, and Lampard believes competition for places can only strengthen the team.

'We need competition up front, people fighting for places, whether together or separately. With those two fully fit we have fantastic options up front. [Nicolas is] a top striker, he has everything you need, pace, finishing, skill, and his goal tally is fantastic.'

The majority of the goals were the product of some intricate and incisive passing moves, another pleasing aspect to the win for both playing and coaching staff.

'We played some wonderful football, and once our lads tried to knock the ball around it is very difficult for people to get too close,' said Wilkins, adding: 'A very good afternoon's work.

'They were fantastic conditions for football, because it makes the pitch quick, and it was magnificent.'

Lampard too was quick to praise the work of the ground staff on the Stamford Bridge pitch.

'There's nothing better than a bit of a wet top to move the ball about quickly. The pitch is in great condition and when it is like that teams will find it hard to deal with us.

'It was a very good afternoon with the football we played throughout the game. The goals were great team goals, virtually every one of them. When we play like that not many teams will be able to cope.'

The next side charged with doing so is Roma in the Champions League tomorrow night, and Lampard believes we will have to stay on top form to leave Italy with a result.

'They know what we are all about, we are playing well and they will see that but the Italians are very clever and when you go their home you know how they will play,' he explained.

'You can't go there without full concentration because they can kill you in a moment so we need to take this form there and be tactically aware.'