Lampard enjoys final triumph

Frank Lampard hailed his fourth FA Cup triumph as the sweetest of the lot after helping Chelsea to Wembley glory once again.

Lampard was instrumental in the Blues' latest victory in the world's oldest cup competition, setting up what proved the decisive goal for Didier Drogba to make it four final wins in the last six seasons.

Chelsea looked set to endure their worst campaign since Roman Abramovich bought the club before sacking manager Andre Villas-Boas two months ago, with caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo performing a minor miracle to lead them to both the FA Cup and Champions League finals.

"It's been a tough season, so it makes it that even more bit special to win," Lampard said.

The 33-year-old was also fully aware he may not have many more chances to add to his FA Cup medal collection.

"I think they get even sweeter as you get older because you know they don't always keep going forever," he added.

"It's been a brilliant competition for us, recently, obviously."

Drogba also made history by becoming the first man to score in four FA Cup finals.

Lampard said: "It's been well-documented how many big goals he gets us in finals.

"When you've got people like that in your team, you've only got to try and put it in their path.

"It goes down in history and big players perform in big games."

Lampard was hoping that would be the case in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich on May 19.

"We've got one more to go and who knows?" he said.

"Rather than go off the back of a defeat in a final, you want to go with a win.

"It's a completely different game, different setting.

"Hopefully, we can take the confidence and get the result we want but it'll be a very tough game.

"We've been very close in the Champions League quite a few times and the club and the players, the fans, are desperate to win it.

"We know we've got one hurdle to do but we'll be giving everything to do it."

John Terry and Lampard lifted the FA Cup together on Saturday but the latter was coy about discussing whether the same would happen when he deputises for his suspended captain in Munich.

"I think too much has been made of that," Lampard said.

"First of all, we have to win it.

"You don't lift cups if you lose finals.

"We've lifted it together many a time and if we win it then we'll deal with that situation."

Having fallen out somewhat with Villas-Boas, Lampard could not speak highly enough of Di Matteo, whose hopes of being appointed permanent manager enjoyed a huge boost last night.

"He deserves every accolade you can possibly give him for what he has done," Lampard said.

"To turn that around from a very difficult situation, to get the big players playing, to get confidence running through the team, to get the club and the fans to react in the way he has done...

"It's a club decision come the summer, obviously, but I don't think Robbie's a loser whatever happens, without a doubt."

Lampard also had words of encouragement for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, who has been mentioned in terms of an England recall ahead of the European Championships after almost single-handedly turning yesterday's game on its head.

"He's taken a bit of stick this year," Lampard said.

"But you could see what a quality player he is and, if he's involved with England then hopefully he'll bring that to England."