• Premier League

Lampard still coming to terms with goal record

Frank Lampard has admitted it is "surreal" to see his name at the top of Chelsea's all-time scoring charts, after his brace at Aston Villa on Saturday moved him clear of previous record-holder Bobby Tambling.

Lampard's 203rd goal for the Blues sealed victory in the 2-1 win at Villa Park, effectively securing their return to next season's Champions League, and he has been overwhelmed by the adulation that has come his way in the days since.

"It's a bit surreal, to actually sit at the top in terms of goals, I can't quite get my head around it," Lampard told the official Chelsea website.

"Having edged towards it recently, and with the season coming to an end, I wanted to do it this season, so I'm really delighted.

"I've had some great moments at this club. Bolton when we won the league for the first time (2005), Munich (venue of last season's Champions League final triumph) was probably the greatest, but on a personal note, and the fact these were important goals for the club to get us into the Champions league for next year, it was amazing.

"'I've tried not to think about it but the fans have been brilliant, almost willing me to do it, and in some ways that increases the pressure. I can only thank people for doing that now I've done it. I didn't think it would move outside of the Chelsea bubble, but it has done.

"I've worked hard on my finishing in training and I think once I put those things together and go out to play, this sort of stuff can happen. I've been fortunate enough to do it over such a period of time."

Lampard spoke to Tambling shortly after he broke his record on Saturday and he is now hoping to spend some quality time with the fellow Chelsea legend after cementing his place in the club's history books.

"Bobby and his wife have been a huge support to me throughout, Kerry Dixon as well, the two players I've managed to jump over," he stated.

"Bobby's an absolute gentleman, he supports me from afar and he's coming over this week for our Player of the Year dinner.

"I'm looking forward to sitting down and having a beer or a glass of wine and having a proper chat with him for half an hour because he's supported me all the way. I couldn't have beaten a better man."

Lampard went on to thank the Aston Villa supporters for affording him a standing ovation after his historic moment at their expense last weekend, as what may have been his final Premier League away game in a Chelsea shirt ended on the highest note imaginable.

"When you're young and fans boo you maybe give them a little look back, but when you get a bit older you don't get into all that nonsense so much, so it was a really nice thing to have done for me," he added.

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