This weekend saw two of England’s finest midfielders play their final games in the Premier League. Although both found their names on the scoresheet, Steven Gerrard fell victim to a shocking 6-1 defeat at Stoke, while Frank Lampard shone in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Southampton.
Our friends at Opta-powered fantasy football game www.oulala.com have taken a look at the pair to see how they have fared when they have faced each other over the last 16 years, a rivalry that has seen the two Premier League greats go head-to-head a total of 33 times.
It all began back in November, 1999 at Upton Park in the Premier League. Lampard was 21 and still plying his trade at his first club West Ham United, while Steven Gerrard was a fresh faced 19-year-old in his second season at Liverpool. The first encounter ended in a 1-0 home win. First scalp to Lampard.
In the 16 years that have followed, the midfielders have battled a further 32 times. The rivalry has seen them clash 20 times in the Premier League and a further 13 times in cup competitions.
Lampard has enjoyed the better record in the Premier League and League Cup, while Gerrard’s dominance has come in the Community Shield. In the Champions League and FA Cup the honours have been shared.
Overall, it is Frank Lampard that has the slightly better record when the pair have met. The former Chelsea midfielder has won 15 games to Gerrard’s 11, while they have shared the spoils on seven other occasions.
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Both known for their goal scoring, it is Lampard that has netted the most goals in their head-to-head battles with four while Gerrard has scored just one.
The pair will soon be preparing for their moves to the MLS. Lampard may have won the battle but the war is not over. The two are set to meet again in August.
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