Chelsea's hopes of securing Champions League football for next season suffered a setback on Saturday evening as they were beaten 3-0 by Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
After victories against Watford and Crystal Palace, scoring six goals in the process, the Blues looked a good bet to continue their solid run of form against the Blades.
But as Chris Wilder's side, as they have proven so often this season, were not flummoxed by coming up against one of the Premier League's big hitters.
A brace from David McGoldrick - who bagged his first-ever Premier League goals - and a header from Oli McBurnie sealed a deserved victory for United, who are still striving for a place in Europe themselves next season.
But from Chelsea and Frank Lampard's point of view it was a night to forget. The Blues were outclassed from the first whistle and it left Lampard, who admitted he "won't forget" what happened against the Blades, scratching his head come the full-time whistle as to what he had just seen.
And the Blues boss soon admitted that this second defeat in four Premier League matches was a huge wake-up call to his players, who could find themselves out of the top-four by Monday night if Manchester United beat Southampton at Old Trafford.
"They were better than us physically, better than us mentally, better with the ball," Lampard said. "They were also stronger than us.
"With no crowd you can hear every voice. All I could hear were Sheffield United voices.
“You know if you come here below par collectively as we did then something like this is going to happen.
“We have to put this to bed and keep fighting to finish in the top four. We are still in that race because what we have done this season.
“I learned a lot today – I learned a lot that I won’t forget. We might be outside the top four when we play again but it’s not about that right now – I’m more concerned about this performance.
“I know we can’t approach our games against Norwich, Manchester United, Liverpool or Wolves in the same vein.”
Despite producing such a dismal showing at Bramall Lane, Chelsea have recorded six wins in their last nine outings.
Nevertheless, Lampard has accepted that tough moments will present themselves, as well as the importance of them improving.
“You tend to learn more from tough moments and tough games," Lampard continued. "The most important thing is collectively it is not one to cry our eyes out.
“Games are coming very quickly. We have the opportunity to fight for the top four which not many expected at the start of the season. We are nowhere near the finished article. We have to learn and improve.”
