Lampard scoops England award

Frank Lampard has been voted the England Player of the Year for 2005.

The Chelsea star scooped the prize, voted for by fans, for a second successive year after being consistently impressive for club and country.

In 2005 Lampard scored three goals in nine appearances for England, as well as inspiring Chelsea to their incredible success.

The 27-year-old, who also came second to Brazilian star Ronaldinho in last year's World and European Footballer of the Year awards, received 29 percent of the vote.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was second with 18 percent, while Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and David Beckham occupied the next three places.

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson paid tribute to Lampard, but also added that the quality of the national squad was such that several players could have walked off with the award.

"I think the fans must have had a very hard time choosing because we are lucky enough to have a number of really outstanding individual players," said the Swede.

"But you can't argue with their choice. Frank has had an excellent football education both from his family and from West Ham and Chelsea.

"You can see that intelligence not only in the way he plays on the pitch but also when you talk to him tactically.

"He is one of the most improved players that I have seen in the last few years. He gets better and better all the time.

"Above everything, though, Frank is a very good professional. He has been brilliant for us in 2005. He is a complete midfielder. Hopefully he will be as brilliant as he can for us in the summer."