‘Too nice’ – Blues boss Lampard laments first-half performance in Arsenal defeat

Frank Lampard labelled his Chelsea side’s first-half performance as “too nice” in their 3-1 defeat at Arsenal on Tuesday night.

The Gunners were 3-0 up at half-time at the Emirates thanks to a brace from Martin Odegaard and a strike from ex-Man City forward Gabriel Jesus.

Chelsea pulled one back in the second half as England U21 international and winter window signing Noni Madueke scored his first goal for the club.

But the Blues were unable to get back into the game and picked up their sixth defeat in a row under Frank Lampard.

“Not good enough in the first half – simple,” Lampard told BBC following the game.

“Better in the second half and you get a goal.

“Not being good enough in the first half confirms the result.

“We’re too nice to play against, in all aspects in the first half. We played more like a team that has a threat in the top end of the pitch in the second half.

“That’s a collective when I say that. We’re too easy to play against in the first half.

“It’s tough – you want to win games – but it’s our job.”