The former Chelsea midfielder made it 11 goals in 13 games as his late brace secured NYCFC a dramatic 3-2 win over D.C. United.
Frank Lampard continued his impressive scoring run for New York City FC on Thursday night, netting a late brace as Patrick Vieira’s men beat D.C. United 3-2 at Yankee Stadium.
D.C. took the lead on the night in the 36th-minute through Lloyd Sam, but NYCFC skipper David Villa eventually got the hosts back into the match 11 minutes from time when he intercepted a poor pass from Luke Mishu and finished past goalkeeper Bill Hamid to level the scores.
Lampard then put Vieira’s side in front five minutes later, pouncing on a loose ball in the box after Villa appeared to be fouled while attempting to get a shot off, before the visitors battled back to make it 2-2 one minute into stoppage-time when Lamar Neagle headed home a Julian Buescher corner.
There was to be more late drama, however, as Lampard would go on to secure his side all three points in the 93rd-minute, receiving a pass from substitute Khiry Shelton before dribbling into the box and firing into the far corner to conclude a frenzied finish to the match.
What a night for Frank Lampard. #NYCvDC https://t.co/wIDt3O1yCS
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 2, 2016
It was the former Chelsea and England midfielder’s 11th goal in 13 games since recovering fully from a calf injury that ruled him out for the first two months of the season, and he paid tribute to everyone at the club after the match for being patient with him during his prolonged spell on the sidelines.
“Obviously everyone knows I was injured for first half of the season,” Lampard told NYCFC.com at the final whistle. “I wanted to come back and really help from June onwards, and I’ve tried to do that.
“Fortunately enough, the team is playing well, we’re working hard every day in training, we’re improving week-on-week and it’s been a pleasure to play with the lads.”
Head coach Vieira added on Lampard’s performance: “Tonight it’s taken something special to score at a crucial period of the game, and tonight it was Frank. I’m really pleased for him because he went through a difficult period from preseason when didn’t play and the way he’s responded is fantastic.
“I think it just shows how good he is, but we never had any doubt about his talent. To see him scoring goals, that’s something he’s used to, but to keep scoring goals like he is at this level is fantastic.”
Thursday night’s win moves NYCFC back up to the top of the Eastern Conference after 28 games, having recorded 12 wins, eight draws and suffered eight defeats to leave them with 44 points – one more than second-placed Toronto FC and seven more than they accrued over their entire inaugural 2015 campaign.
With six regular season games left, the club look all but guaranteed to secure their first-ever playoff appearance and are only four points behind Supporters’ Shield leaders FC Dallas ahead of hosting them on 18 September.
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