Lampard dismisses ‘advantage’ claims

Frank Lampard has rejected Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s claims that Chelsea boast an unfair advantage in tomorrow’s FA Cup semi-final.

Chelsea slipped up 3-0 at Sheffield United on Saturday, but then beat Norwich at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, leaving five days until the lastfour Wembley battle.

United drew 2-2 with Southampton at Old Trafford on Monday, then won 2-0 at Crystal Palace on Thursday night.

Despite United having just three days’ preparation for tomorrow’s clash, Blues boss Lampard has dismissed the idea the west Londoners have an extra edge.

Asked if Chelsea do have an advantage this weekend, Lampard replied: “No I don’t think we do.

“I think we’ve played Saturday and Tuesday this week, they’ve played on Monday and Thursday, so we’ve both played two games in this week as it stands.

“We’re in a period where we’re playing games all the time very regularly, and you become ‘play, recover, play again, recover’, and you work with the squad as it is.

“It’s an age-old question, you probably dig out the times when I’ve mentioned it, but at the same time it isn’t about advantage or not.”

Chelsea must do without N’Golo Kante against the Red Devils.

The former Leicester star remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, leaving Jorginho in the frame to sit at the base of midfield again.

Lampard admitted he expects a strong examination of Chelsea’s qualities this weekend, heaping praise on United’s in-form forward trio of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.

“We know they are playing well, they’ve got a very, very potent front three; probably the most potent front three in the country, in terms of goals,” said Lampard.

“But we know that. So we have to be confident ourselves, deal with their threats, and worry about us as well.”

Blues boss Frank Lampard.