Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard paid tribute to the club's supporters following his goalscoring impact during yesterday's 5-1 FA Cup victory over Southampton.
Lampard came off the bench to score from the penalty spot and in doing so became Chelsea's joint-second highest goalscorer with Kerry Dixon.
As he celebrated in front of the away fans, the club's official website reported that the 34-year-old was seen mouthing the words 'I love you' in their direction.
With his contract due to expire in the summer and his future at Stamford Bridge uncertain, Lampard hailed the Chelsea faithful for the support that they have given him since he arrived from West Ham United in 2001.
"They've supported me throughout my career here, particularly in recent weeks. The way they were with me today was the way they've been with me all the time and I just wanted to say thanks," he told Chelsea TV. "That's our platform out on the pitch to say thanks, firstly by doing the business. They pay their money to come and watch, so it was nice to say it back to them.
"That's genuinely how I feel. This club's been amazing to me, and the club is the fans, so I can only thank them.
"I'm enjoying my football, I know there's a lot of talk going around, but I'm actually really enjoying playing and that's what it's all about really. There may be certain things going on in your head, but when I go out there and the fans support me as they do, you can't help but get very emotional."
Lampard's goal against the Saints took his total for the Blues in the FA Cup to 25.
Liam Apicella
