Frank Lampard hails ‘personality’ of Chelsea side at Wembley with ‘three finals’ ahead

Blues will face Arsenal in the FA Cup final

Frank Lampard was delighted with the exploits of his Chelsea players as they saw off Manchester United 3-1 at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final.

The Blues were largely dominant throughout, though profited also from some awful goalkeeping errors by David de Gea and a generally disappointing United display.

But it was his own players’ effort and quality which the Chelsea boss praised for the win when speaking to the BBC after the game.

“Very proud. I can’t ask any more than that, other than maybe more goals. It was the work ethic, the performance,” Lampard said.

“I was surprised they matched us up [tactically]. The early parts of the game we were on top; when they changed system we were even better. We did everything I asked of them.

“When you see the team come out and run, the wing-backs jump up to get close, the midfield players, I could go through the whole team—very proud of the performance. They all deserve huge credit.”

After recent games against Sheffield United and West Ham saw Lampard’s players criticised for a lack of consistency and leadership, the former midfielder was quick to ensure their improvement at Wembley was recognised.

And although the boss doesn’t want to hang a success-or-failure verdict on the outcome of 270 minutes, he encouraged the team to push on and seal a memorable end to the season by securing Champions League football in the last two Premier League games and winning silverware in the FA Cup final itself, against Arsenal on 1 August.

“They should take confidence and carry on [improving]. Leaders come in all different forms; it’s not like the old dressing rooms, you cant compare across eras. Some of the younger players need to stand up, even with their performance rather than their voice. This was a performance full of character and personality, we couldn’t say that after Sheffield United but today, against Manchester United, delighted.

“We have three finals ahead. Recovery is going to be huge. We’ll focus on the league but have to show similar to get a result.

“I don’t want to put everything on three games to define individual progress, but of course we want top four and to win the final.”