Frank Lampard (part 2)

Frank Lampard assumed the role of team captain for Chelsea due to John Terry's back injury. Lampard's leadership was coupled with an impressive goal-scoring streak, netting seven goals in eight games. He achieved a milestone by overtaking Dennis Wise as Chelsea's highest-scoring midfielder with his 77th goal, which came from a long-range strike in a 3–2 victory over Everton on 17 December. Notably, he scored both goals in a 2–0 win against Fulham during this period. In the UEFA Champions League group stage, Lampard scored a remarkable goal from an extremely tight angle against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, contributing to a 2–2 draw.


The 2006–07 season concluded with Lampard amassing 21 goals in all competitions, including a career-high six goals in the FA Cup. He achieved his first Chelsea hat-trick in a third-round tie against Macclesfield Town on 6 January 2007. Lampard played a pivotal role in Chelsea's FA Cup triumph, providing the assist to Didier Drogba in the 2007 FA Cup Final, securing a 1–0 victory in extra time against Manchester United. Expressing his commitment to the club, Lampard declared in a post-match interview that he wanted to stay at Chelsea forever.


The subsequent 2007–08 season presented challenges for Lampard as he faced injuries, limiting his participation to 40 matches, with only 24 in the Premier League—the fewest league games he had played in a season since 1996–97. On 16 February 2008, Lampard reached a significant milestone by becoming the eighth Chelsea player to score 100 goals for the club in a 3–1 FA Cup fifth-round win over Huddersfield Town. After the match, he displayed a T-shirt to the Chelsea fans with 100 Not Out, They Are All For You, Thanks printed across the front.


In a remarkable performance on 12 March 2008, Lampard scored four goals in a 6–1 rout of Derby County. Additionally, he played a crucial role in the Champions League quarter-final second leg, scoring the winning goal against Fenerbahçe in the 87th minute as Chelsea secured a 3–2 aggregate victory.


On 30 April, amidst the grief of losing his mother a week earlier, Lampard chose to play in the second leg of Chelsea's Champions League semi-final against Liverpool. In a highly emotional moment, he confidently scored an extra-time penalty in the 98th minute, contributing to Chelsea's 4–3 aggregate victory. Although he scored an equalizing goal in the Champions League final against Manchester United, the match ended 1–1 after extra time, and Chelsea ultimately lost 6–5 on penalties. Despite the disappointment, Lampard was recognized for his outstanding contributions and was named UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year.


On 13 August 2008, Frank Lampard penned a lucrative five-year contract with Chelsea, amounting to £39.2 million, solidifying his status as the highest-paid player in the Premier League. The 2008–09 season began with Lampard showcasing his scoring prowess, netting five goals in the first eleven league matches. Notably, he reached the milestone of 150 goals in his club career with a strike against Manchester City in the Premier League.


Lampard delivered a stunning chipped goal with his left foot against Hull City, earning praise from FIFA World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who called it the best goal he had ever seen. Lampard scored his 100th career Premier League goal in a commanding 5–0 victory over Sunderland on 2 November, with eighteen of these goals coming from penalties. His outstanding performances earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for October, marking the third time in his career.


Following a brief goal-scoring drought, Lampard returned to form, scoring three goals in two games, including one against West Bromwich Albion and two against Fulham. On 17 January 2009, he marked his 400th Chelsea appearance with a stoppage-time winner against Stoke City and repeated this feat against Wigan Athletic. In the fourth round of the FA Cup, Lampard showcased his skill with a free-kick from 35 yards against Ipswich Town. His contributions continued in the Champions League quarterfinals against Liverpool, where he scored twice in a thrilling 4–4 draw, helping Chelsea advance 7–5 on aggregate. In the FA Cup semi-finals against Arsenal, Lampard provided two crucial assists in a 2–1 victory. The season concluded with Lampard tallying 20 goals and 19 assists.


The pinnacle of Lampard's 2008–09 season was marked by his winning goal in the FA Cup Final against Everton, secured with a left-footed shot from long-range. In a nostalgic homage, Lampard replicated the corner flag celebration his father had done after scoring the winning goal in the 1979–80 FA Cup semi-final second leg against Everton. For his remarkable contributions, Lampard was named Chelsea's Player of the Year for the third time.


The 2009–10 season saw Lampard's continued success as he scored against Manchester United in the 2009 Community Shield, helping Chelsea secure a 4–1 victory in the penalty shootout. Lampard notched his 133rd goal for Chelsea in a Champions League match against Atlético Madrid on 21 October 2009, elevating him to fifth among the club's all-time top goalscorers. Despite initial struggles to replicate his past goal-scoring numbers, Lampard regained his scoring form with two goals in a 5–0 triumph over Blackburn on 24 October 2009. His consistent performances led to his nomination for the FIFA World Player of the Year award for the sixth consecutive year.

References

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