London - Chelsea left it late to clinch a 3-1 victory over 10-man Norwich that was marred by a serious injury suffered by Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Andre Villas-Boas's side were in danger of being held to a draw by newly-promoted Norwich when Grant Holt punished a mistake from Blues goalkeeper Hilario to cancel out Jose Bosingwa's opener.
Drogba was stretchered off soon after when he landed heavily following an aerial collision with Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy.
But Lampard ensured Chelsea won for the second time in three league games under Villas-Boas when he drove home a spot-kick with eight minutes remaining before Juan Mata marked his debut following his move from Valencia with a goal in the final moments.
Chelsea's sixth minute opener came from an unlikely source as Portugal right-back Bosingwa netted his first goal since November 2008 with a powerful long-range effort that flashed in off a post.
That should have been the springboard for a dominant Chelsea display, yet Holt equalised in the 63rd minute.
Holt was given a large helping hand by Hilario - playing in place of the injured Petr Cech - as the Portuguese stopper came way off his line in a failed attempt to catch a Wes Hoolahan cross and Holt was able to hook into the empty net.
It got worse for Chelsea moments later when Drogba landed in sickening fashion following his collision with Ruddy and the game was stopped for seven minutes while the Ivorian was carried off wearing a breathing aid.
However, Lampard got the second goal from the spot after Ruddy was sent off for bringing down Ramires and Spain winger Mata, on as a substitute, struck with a curler deep into stoppage time.