Joe Hart can only look on as Frank Lampard celebrates Chelsea's winner in December

Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were not pleased after being left on the bench

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has told Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard not to sulk after being named as substitutes in the Blues 3-1 defeat to Napoli.

The England internationals were joined by Michael Essien and Fernando Torres on the bench and, while Cole came on after 12 minutes for the injured Jose Bosingwa, Lampard came on with only 20 minutes left.

Neither Cole nor Lampard were happy with the decision, adding to rumours of a dressing room bust-up.

“The players that they are and the players with the experience they have, they felt they could have helped the team. That’s perfectly understandable,” Villas-Boas said.

“Of course, they were disappointed but they were decisions they have to accept and move on.”

The Portuguese boss revealed that the decision to leave Lampard out was tactical, while Cole had not fully recovered from his injury.

“Ashley was a difficult decision taken yesterday,” he added. “I am sure from tomorrow’s training onwards he will continue to fight for his position as he normally does. It’s his position to take and nothing else.

“(Lampard and Essien) were technical decisions. In the end it would be fantastic if we win the game, any explanation is useless given the result of the game.”

Villas-Boas decided to name Ramires and Raul Meireles as his defensive midfielders, instead of the experienced Lampard and Essien..

“Lamps can do it, but it’s the decision we took, not with the objective of goals but on the other side, covering for the attacks Napoli have,” Villas-Boas added.

“Those on the pitch have been doing magnificently well and that’s why the choice was taken.

“We can continue to count on these players to help the team. They will be up for selection like any other time.”