Going Out With A Bang: Lampard Helps City To Victory Over Southampton

In his 609th and final Premier League appearance, Frank Lampard strapped on the captain's armband and helped City to a 2-0 victory over Southampton. It turned out to be a storybook ending for one of English football's greats, as Lampard broke the deadlock on 31 minutes with a cool left-footed finish.

Though he spent the vast majority of his career in a darker blue kit, Lampard left an imprint at City and was nothing short of a positive influence, both on the field and of course in the locker room.

Lampard made way for Jesus Navas with just under a quarter-hour remaining in Sunday's fixture. As the veteran exited the pitch, the faithful at the Etihad saluted him, as did football fans everywhere.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini said:

"I think he deserves the farewell all our fans give him. It was very important also for him to score. I think it was the perfect goodbye for him. He deserves it for his brilliant career..."

After the match, Lampard said:

"It was emotional. My last ever game in the Premier League and I didn't realise my daughters would be on the pitch. "

Lampard also went on to explain that he has no regrets having finished his 19-year Premier League run at City instead of at Stamford Bridge:

"People can talk about whether this was the right decision for me or not. This was completely the right decision - I've lost nothing from what I did at Chelsea."

Though he certainly seems fit to continue playing in the top flight of English football, Lampard said:

"I can go away saying it was an absolute pleasure...I'm a very lucky man."