Frank Lampard admits he was touched after Chelsea fans got behind him on his return from being dropped by manager Andre Villas-Boas.
Midfielder left with lump in his throat after Bolton clash
Frank Lampard admits he was touched after Chelsea fans got behind him on his return from being dropped by manager Andre Villas-Boas.
Lampard has admitted for the first time that his relationship with Villas-Boas has "not been ideal" amid feverish speculation of a falling out between the pair.
The star midfielder did not want to dwell on any problems they might have had but, should their relationship not improve, it appears there would be only one winner in the battle for hearts and minds.
Even before Lampard made three separate bits of history by scoring his 12th goal of the season in yesterday's desperately needed 3-0 Premier League win over Bolton, his was the name on the lips of the Stamford Bridge crowd.
"Super Frankie Lampard", they sang about the man who repaid their adulation with the 150th league goal of his career and his 125th in the league for Chelsea - taking him ahead of the legendary Jimmy Greaves.
Perhaps more significantly, the 33-year-old became the first player to reach double figures in the Premier League for nine consecutive seasons.
Touched
It was also the fourth time this term Lampard had scored after being dropped by Villas-Boas and he said: "I just want to play and the way the fans were with me was amazing.
"It's lump-in-the-throat stuff when they sing your name like that.
"When I play and I can play, I know I can contribute but the main importance is Chelsea.
"The fans have stuck with us brilliantly.
"It's been a tough old season.
"These fans here, I think they've been through and seen a lot back in the old days.
"So they're always very keen to stay with their players and I can only thank them for that."
