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Grant pays emotional tribute to "brave" Lampard

01/05/2008

Chelsea manager Avram Grant has paid tribute to the bravery of vice-captain Frank Lampard following his match-winning performance last night.

The Blues midfielder had one of his best games of the season, scoring a crucial extra-time penalty against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge to guide his side to their first ever Champions League final.

All this came just a matter of days after the death of his mother Pat from pneumonia and with his father, Frank Lampard Snr, watching from the stands.

And after the game, Grant said he had the utmost respect for the England international – calling him "a brave man".

"Frank was very close to his mother and what has happened to him over the last few days has not been easy," the Blues boss told the BBC.

"He played extremely well and is a little bit happier now."

After scoring from the spot to put Chelsea 2-1 in front, Lampard ran over to the corner flag, removed the black armband he was wearing and kissed it in an emotional celebration.

He was soon mobbed by his team-mates but after emerging from the pile of bodies he pointed to his father in the stands in one of the most poignant moments of the season.

Lampard had been on compassionate leave for the majority of the last two weeks - firstly to attend his mother's bedside after she was taken into hospital and then further time off in the immediate aftermath of her death.

And Grant said he had left it up to the player whether or not he wanted to take the field.

"It was his decision to play and he played extremely well," the manager continued.

"We spoke about it yesterday and it was decided he should play then."

Chelsea will play Premier League title rivals Manchester United in the Moscow showpiece on May 21st - the first ever all-English European final.