Lampard: We need trophies

Frank Lampard has warned Chelsea's spectacular resurgence under Roberto Di Matteo will mean nothing if they lose both the FA Cup and Champions League finals.

Caretaker manager Di Matteo could hardly have masterminded a more incredible turnaround in the Blues' fortunes since being handed the reins exactly two months ago.

But Lampard said: "We're very much of the understanding that if we get to two finals and lose them, we still end up in the same boat as if you'd lost earlier on in the rounds."

Chelsea were given a reality check on Wednesday night when they lost to Newcastle to all but end their hopes of finishing in the Barclays Premier League top four.

And midfielder Lampard issued another warning ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final against Liverpool.

"Normally, we'd be fighting in the league right until the end," he said. "Now we're not, the cups are obviously more important."

Lampard, 33, looked certain to be forced out of Stamford Bridge this summer if Villas-Boas was still at the club, along with fellow veteran Didier Drogba.

Both have been a revelation under Di Matteo and Lampard said: "Didier's come back into the team, I've come back into the team more regularly, and I just want to play a big part and try to contribute."

Lampard and Drogba also have the Champions League final to look forward to against Bayern Munich in two weeks' time, unlike four of their team-mates, who will be suspended.

"If they can't take part in one then they're going to throw everything into this one," he said. "It's very much a case of taking each final as it comes."