Lampard dismisses claims of an advantage

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 Sunday’s last-four 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 FA Cup clash, Blues boss Lampard has dismissed the idea that Chelsea 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 and you become ‘play, recover, play again, recover’, and you work with the squad as it is.”

In the weekend’s other semi-final, Arsenal have no new injury worries for their match against holders Manchester City.

The Gunners will be without suspended striker Eddie Nketiah and full-back Cedric Soares, who is cuptied having featured in the competition for Southampton earlier in the campaign.

City’s second-choice goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who regularly features in domestic cup matches, has been ruled out with a muscular injury.

Frank Lampard