Boss Frank Lampard has asked Chelsea for more despite his team reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Ross Barkley’s third goal of the season in the FA Cup earned the Blues a 1-0 victory at Leicester.
But Lampard was unhappy with their first half, making a triple substitution during the half-time with Barkley, Cesar Azpilicueta and Mateo Kovacic.
It changed the flow of the game as visitors took control to pass, but Lampard knows they have to be better.
“I don’t think we’ve played that bad this season for 45 minutes,” he said. “We played better and lost the games.
“I could have created more or different subtitles. We needed to drag ourselves out of a lethargic performance and we did it.
“We were lucky to be 0-0 halfway through the game and we have to learn from the little mistakes of the game.
“I don’t want to sound too low because it’s important to show that you have the courage to win 1-0 when you’re not playing well.
“It looks like I’m criticizing, but it’s positive because it’s not the norm for us.”
Leicester, without the injured James Maddison, struggled to put Jamie Vardy into play.
Goalkeeper Willy Caballero saved from Wilfred Ndidi while Jonny Evans gave a wide look as they scored the first half.
Kasper Schmeichel needs to save well from Christian Pulisic after 30 minutes.
Barkley, Azpilicueta and Kovacic replaced Mason Mount, Billy Gilmour and Reece James in the half-time and Chelsea improved immediately.
Tammy Abraham was sent off the offside before Barkley after 63 minutes, sweeping Willian’s excellent cross.
“I played with Ross and he’s an exceptional boy. His attitude was perfect during training from the moment we returned, “said Lampard, who confirmed that Pulisic had a calf problem.
“It was unfortunate not to start against Villa and he has since made an impact in every game he has played.
“It is reaping the rewards. I have a lot of time for Ross and he’s a great player for us. “
Caglar Soyuncu has seen a deflected header, Leicester’s best chance, but the Foxes have to wait another year for a chance to win a first English Cup.
They played the opening game of two Premier League games since the restart but despite being eliminated from the FA, boss Brendan Rodgers remained optimistic.
“He was much more like us in terms of time, speed and pressure. We know we can score goals but in these first three games we have not been so clinical, “said Rodgers, who admitted that Maddison will be in doubt for Wednesday’s trip to Everton with a trendy problem.
“It is disappointing to go out but there are positive aspects. I feel for the players because I think they deserved more.
“The players kept this belief in themselves and we couldn’t make the change.
“It was much more like us and we looked like a real threat. That last step or effort wasn’t falling for us.
“We need to show more conviction, but we have shown that throughout the season we can score. It’s a performance that will give us more confidence in the future. “
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