We don't do flair, winning is all that matters, says Lampard

The Chelsea midfielder has heard enough of the praise going Manchester United's way for the expansive, open style which has seen them claim their ninth Premiership title and reach today's Wembley showpiece.

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Lampard insists it is a question of balance, and the cool efficiency of his team-mates under coach Jose Mourinho is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

"The stuff that gets said about teams deserving to win the League because they've played great football — as if they've brought football back to the planet — is certainly not true," he said.

"[United boss Sir Alex] Ferguson wants his team to win and go out and play the right way, but there's a balance to be had. What people respect are a team who play good football and win games. That's what United have done this season."

Ferguson has often been quick to herald his players' flair and attacking play this season — antagonising Chelsea, who are sensitive to the accusation that their recent successes have been built on low risk, unattractive football.

Lampard said: "Ferguson's comments are typical banter that come from most managers, including the best ones. They weren't saying much in the last couple of years because we were the champions. I'll remember it when we're next lifting the trophy." The 28-year-old England midfielder agrees with Mourinho's claims that his team will never receive the credit they deserve because they have been bankrolled by their billionaire owner, Roman Abramovich.

Lampard said: "We had criticism a couple of years ago about the way we played when we were winning 4-0 every week. How do you win over people when you've spent a lot of money?

"Everyone wants us to say: 'Come on, let's play like the Globetrotters'. But it's not as simple as that. We're here to win games.

"We want to win well and win with great football but first of all we want to be winners. I respect the sportsmen who are born winners. That's what Mourinho is, that's what Tiger Woods is." Chelsea have fallen short of their lofty ambitions this season, failing to collect the hat-trick of League titles they craved and crashing out of the Champions League in the semi-final at Liverpool.

The Carling Cup was banked in February but Mourinho's men are determined to add their first FA Cup since 2000, when the Final was last played at Wembley.

Lampard, a beaten finalist when Chelsea lost 2-0 to Arsenal in 2002, said: "We want to put the season right. The League is something we want to come back and win next year but the FA Cup is the one remaining domestic competition this bunch of players haven't won.

"It's a huge competition and no one should underestimate it. It would make it a successful season if we ended it with two cups.

"I'm glad to be playing United so we can put the League right but it wouldn't bother me who we were playing."

It would complete a personal set of domestic honours for Lampard if he lifts the trophy won by his father Frank with West Ham in 1980.

"I was only two but there's a photograph at home of me with the medal," said Lampard junior. "It's the only medal he's got that I haven't and he's still clinging on.

"I'm waiting for my great FA Cup memory to come. I thought I did OK in the 2002 Final against Arsenal. I remember it but no one else does because we lost, that's the thing about Finals.

"You can have a good game, win your personal battle but the most important thing is who lifts the trophy at the end of it. That's a fact of life."