Frank Lampard believes the current Chelsea side are developing the required mentality as we chase glory on three fronts.
The Blues secured an FA Cup fifth-round clash away at Manchester City courtesy of a 1-0 win over Stoke City at Stamford Bridge, with Oscar’s stunning first-half free-kick proving decisive.
Lampard, who moved ahead of Peter Bonetti to become our second-highest FA Cup appearance maker, felt we were good value for the win.
‘In the first half I thought we were fantastic, Hazard really opened them up and did his stuff, as he has been doing lately,’ said the Blues midfielder.
‘As a team we were all at it and we were disappointed not to be 2-0 or 3-0 up at half-time because we would have cruised it, but at 1-0 you have to keep on your guard all the way.’
A seventh consecutive victory in all competitions sees Jose Mourinho’s side approach Wednesday’s Barclays Premier League game against West Ham United full of confidence.
That game precedes a trip to Manchester City a week today, and Lampard, who skippered the side against Stoke in the absence of John Terry, spoke of the growing belief within the squad.
‘There’s a good feeling around the place,’ he said. ‘With the manager coming back it probably took a while for him to get his points across but, in the last couple of months we’ve found that mentality and feeling in the dressing room where we’re going out there with more confidence.
‘We have to keep that up because the minute you drop that the results will turn, so we need to keep at it and carry on this form.’
With Juan Mata’s departure to Manchester United now finalised, Lampard reserved a word of praise for his former team-mate, but he believes the abundance of quality we have in the attacking midfield positions will serve us well.
‘Juan Mata’s an absolutely fantastic player and, more than that, he’s a great lad, so I wish him all the best personally,’ he said.
‘The difficult thing here is that there are so many brilliant players. Oscar’s been fantastic this season, as has Hazard.
‘Willian’s shown it as well and we’ve got so many riches in that position, but you need performances like the one we got from Oscar and his free-kick was top drawer.’