One love...

Okay, this is the post dedicated to Frank Lampard. Next one I'll probably post up is one on Claude Makelele [it appeared in NST], and there IS another one on Frank Lampard [which appeared in The Star] yesterday.

Long lasting Lamps

Lampard equals EPL record of playing in 159 consecutive games

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard equalled the record for consecutive Premier League appearances when he played his 159th game on Saturday, at home to Newcastle United.

The 27-year-old drew level with Manchester City goalkeeper David James at the top of the list, with Shay Given, in goal for Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, third on 140 appearances in a row.

Lampard, whose nickname is Lamps, stepped on the pitch on a cold day in west London to a huge ovation from a sell-out crowd, looking for a win to keep the champions in charge at the top of the table after their fist defeat in more than a year two weeks ago at Manchester United.

The outfield player who comes closest to Lampard's appearances tally is his team mate, Wayne Bridge, who made 113 appearances for Southampton between March 2000 and January 2003.

Lampard, an England regular who was voted Player of the Year by football writers last season, began his run on Oct 13, 2001, shortly after joining Chelsea, and has played every Premier League game since.

After breaking a leg at 18 and suffering a few injuries at West Ham the season before he joined Chelsea, Lampard ha stayed remarkably injury free. He saved an operation on his toe until the season ended last May.

"It has something to do with fitness," he said in an interview in Saturday's match programme.

"Part of it is luck and part of it is being a bit clever, not flying into tackles that are silly and you can't win and not pullling out of tackles."

Lampard helped Chelsea to their first title in 50 years last season and was top scorer for the club, surpassing Chelsea's clutch of expensive strikers.

He is also top scorer so far this season for both his club and in the Premier League with 10 goals.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has described his player as the best midfielder in the world and Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has said he is a "freak" because of his outstanding staying power.

And here is a pic of the man himself!

He was presented with a special Barclays Merit award, an award and £1000 donation to the charity of his choice for being the first player to reach ten goals in the Barclays Premiership this season! *Whee*...

Have to go now...*Bluesy* out!