Five of Lampard’s most memorable Chelsea moments
Chelsea’s record goalscorer Frank Lampard returns to his former stomping ground of Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night with his Derby side taking on the Blues in the Carabao Cup fourth round.[phone]
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He is sure to receive a hero’s welcome back from Chelsea fans, who will always regard him as a club legend.
Here’s a look back at just five of Lampard’s many memorable Chelsea moments.
Bolton brace
April 30 2005 at the Reebok Stadium will live long in the memory of Chelsea supporters. Their first league championship in 50 years was sealed by two goals from Lampard. The second was a sublime counter-attacking goal as he raced on to Claude Makelele’s through-ball, charged on into the area and rounded goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen before tucking in to spark scenes of jubilation.
Emotional spot
Grieving from the death of his mother a week earlier, Lampard netted an emotional penalty in the first half of extra-time in the April 30 2008 Champions League semi-final second leg at Liverpool. Didier Drogba’s winner earned Chelsea a 4-3 aggregate victory and a place in the Champions League final. Manchester United won in Moscow on penalties.
Holy grail realised
The trophy coveted by Chelsea above any other was won on May 19 2012, with Lampard captain on the night in the absence of the suspended John Terry. It was Didier Drogba who scored the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shootout victory over Bayern Munich, but Lampard netted his effort from 12 yards and led by example throughout, realising a long-held ambition of lifting the European Cup. A year later, Lampard led Chelsea to the Europa League, again in Terry’s absence.
Record breaker
Chelsea supporters still sing about Lampard scoring his 200th club goal against West Ham, his former club, on March 17 2013. It took Lampard 55 more days to surpass Bobby Tambling as Chelsea’s record goalscorer, on May 11 2013 at Villa Park. He scored twice in the second half, the record-breaking goal coming three minutes from time. His 211th – and what would prove to be his last Chelsea goal – came in a routine win over Stoke on April 5 2014.
Adored enemy
Chelsea supporters cheered Lampard’s arrival as a late substitute on September 21 2014 – and he scored his first goal for Manchester City to earn a draw at the Etihad Stadium. Lampard had been allowed to leave the Blues, subsequently signing for New York City FC, City’s Major League Soccer venture, and moving to Manchester on a short-term deal. Five minutes from time, Lampard struck. He declined to celebrate but was cheered by the entire stadium.
