Frank Lampard: Arsenal fans got what they deserved

Gunners supporters have never forgiven Cole for moving to Stamford Bridge in 2006 in a deal that took William Gallas in the opposite direction.

The England left-back has now played for Chelsea three times at Emirates Stadium and yet the level of vitriol he has to endure shows no sign of reducing.

The hatred stems from a belief that Cole, a schoolboy at Arsenal, only moved for money after he turned down what he believed to be an inadequate £5,000-per-week pay rise to stay with the Gunners.

But Lampard says Arsenal fans contributed to their own team's downfall by jeering Cole from the start and said: "I don't think booing ever works. I don't know when people will learn that it's not the way to do it.

"I think the best thing is to stay quiet, watch the game and cheer on your own team. Putting all your efforts into just getting someone psyched up to do a good job against your team is obviously the wrong way to go about it."

Cole answered the boo-boys by setting up Chelsea's first two goals with superb crosses — the first turned in by the excellent Didier Drogba and the second an own goal by Thomas Vermaelen — and also helped ensure Arsenal provided little attacking threat at the other end with a solid defensive display.

Having been heavily barracked by both West Ham and England fans in the past, Lampard knows more than most how abuse can often inspire the target to a higher level of performance.

He added: "Ash is very experienced with dealing with it — he's had it a few times now and it obviously spurs him on to put in displays like he did."

Drogba completed yesterday's rout just before full-time with a second goal, this time from a superb free-kick, and later insisted that Chelsea's victory proved they are mentally and physically stronger than anyone else.

The win helped the Blues to extend the lead in the table over their London rivals to 11 points and re-established a five-point gap between themselves and second-placed Manchester United.Carlo Ancelotti's side have beaten all three of the other members of the Big Four this term without conceding a goal. It was Arsenal's first home defeat of the campaign and Drogba believes the game showed Chelsea have an inner belief no other side can match.

He said: "Arsenal played their game but I think we were stronger than them. Every time we had the chance to score we did. Physically, we defended well and were really strong mentally.

"I don't know about Arsenal but it's our strength to perform when it matters. Even against United, when the game was difficult, we won. We know how to go through difficult periods when the game is hard."

The striker is not taking winning the title for granted, though, and is looking for Chelsea to extend their lead. The Blues experienced how hard it is to come from behind in the past three seasons when they failed to prevent United from winning a hat-trick of titles.

Drogba hopes it is their turn to suffer and added: "It's true that United are still there. Now they have to come and catch us. I hope we have the team to stay ahead for the rest of the season."