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Lampard happy to continue England penalty duties

Frank Lampard dragged a late penalty wide in Chelsea's 1-0 FA Cup final win over Portsmouth © Getty Images

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England midfielder Frank Lampard has insisted that he is still happy to continue with England penalty duty, despite missing from the spot for Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

Lampard dragged his penalty wide against Portsmouth and also saw his shootout effort saved in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Portugal.

But he has remained a picture of consistency from the spot for both club and country between those high profile misses, and Lampard insists he is determined to continue shouldering the 12-yard burden.

"It will not put me off," Lampard said. "I'm big enough to stand up. It's quite good for me, because that kind of thing makes me address it. When I go away with England I'll work on that kind of stuff. Sometimes you need a little reminder of what you have got to do.

"I've missed penalties for England, I've missed penalties for Chelsea. It comes with the territory. When you take them regularly it can happen.

"I missed in the Cup final and it will play on my mind a bit. It was a disappointing penalty, to say the least. I actually changed my mind in the run up which is a bit of a sin. Once you do that, you're probably going to miss and I did, but we won the game.

"It's easy to look back and say I should've put it the other side but, after the season we've had, it's immaterial really. It's out of the system and overshadowed by the fact we won the Double."

England have been seemingly plagued by a penalty curse throughout their recent international history, being eliminated from the 1990, 1998 and 2006 World Cups on penalties, as well as the 1996 and 2004 European Championships.

Fabio Capello's side may be hoping that there won't be any shoot-outs required this year but Chelsea midfielder Lampard is just concentrating on adding to his sensational goal tally of 32 for club and country come the finals in South Africa.

"The goals have come thick and fast in the last few months, which is always a good thing," Lampard said. "I feel very confident and I'm happy to take that form and mindset into the World Cup. When I'm at my best and feeling confident, I try to get in goalscoring positions and I score regularly. That's what I do. I'm seeing a lot of spaces at the moment.

"I'm arriving and hitting shots and not scared to take anything on. I just hope that carries on for the next month. I'm feeling strong and as a group the Chelsea boys don't feel tired. The excitement overtakes any of that."

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