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Frank Lampard has chased down his twin targets relentlessly over the past nine months.

Now they are both within his grasp.

First, Bobby Tambling’s record as Chelsea’s top goalscorer was equalled, then broken.

And it also appears that almost by weight of public demand the west London club will award one of football’s nice guys with a further 12-month contract extension.

To score more than 200 goals from midfield is a phenomenal achievement.

And it was somewhat fitting that the two which floored Paul Lambert’s side were classic Lampard efforts one a shot from the edge of the area and his late second a stab from six yards out.

Scroll down for highlights and videos of Lampard’s best Chelsea goals Emotional: Frank Lampard called Bobby Tambling after the match was over Magic moment: Frank Lampard strikes to level matters at Stamford Bridge – and Bobby Tambling’s all-time goalscoring record for the club Chelsea’s record scorers 1 Frank Lampard 203 2 Bobby Tambling 202 3 Kerry Dixon 193 4 Didier Drogba 157 5 Roy Bentley 150 6 Peter Osgood 150 7 Jimmy Greaves 132 8 George Mills 125 9 George Hilsdon 108 10 Barry Bridges 93 Villa fans, who condemned John Terry in the strongest possible terms when he was carried off on a stretcher, reserved heartfelt applause for Lampard when he had finished celebrating with the visitors contingent at the final whistle.

That was an amazing feeling, he said.

I ve had some great moments at this club.

Winning the league at Bolton the first time.

Munich, obviously.

Munich was the greatest.

But on a personal note and the fact it was an important goal for the club to get into the Champions League next year it was fantastic.

I ve been edging towards it recently and with the season coming to an end I did want to do it this season.

I ve tried not to let it play on my mind, but people have been talking about it.

That increases pressure.

I can only thank people now.

Quite a few have stopped me, saying, Go on, Frank , and it has become a big deal.

I didn t think it would move outside of the Chelsea bubble, but it has.

To be applauded off was a real honour.

Lampard has struck up a friendship with Tambling, saying that he wanted to share a beer in the next few days with the man whose record he has taken.

Both Bobby and his wife have been a huge support to me, he added.

Bobby is an absolute gentleman.

He’s coming over this week for our player-of-the-year dinner and it feels a bit surreal.

Head and shoulders above the rest: Lampard is the all-time top Premier League midfield goalscorer Top Premier League midfield scorers F rank Lampard 165 Ryan Giggs 109 Paul Scholes 107 Matthew Le Tissier 100 Steven Gerrard 98 I never thought I would get near it, so to get there and sit top of the charts in terms of goals is amazing.

And so to the contract.

Word is that assurances have been made to the player that a deal is in the offing.

My eyes are very wide open, Lampard said.

The club have been very good to me and a lot of things have been said.

I think the club are making the right decisions and I hope to stay.

Simple as that.

We have two big games coming up.

Nothing will happen until after that but I hope to sit down with them then.

Terry and Eden Hazard are serious doubts for Wednesday’s Europa League final against Benfica.

Both will have scans today, Terry on an injured ankle and Hazard on a hamstring, with Terry believed to have a better chance of making it.

Record breaker: Lampard (left) surpassed Bobby Tambling’s all-time record on Saturday afternoon Frank’s showreel: 10 of the best 10.

Chelsea 2-0 Portsmouth February 25, 2006 A wonderful team move saw Didier Drogba and Eidur Gudjohnsen combine, before the latter dummied the ball on the edge of the box to allow the onrushing Lampard to blast it home in trademark fashion.

9.

Chelsea 5-1 Tottenham April 15, 2012 There’s nothing better than getting one over your rivals.

Especially when it’s at Wembley and is part of a 5-1 victory.

Lampard’s spectacular free kick against Spurs in the FA Cup semi-final was a real peach.

8.

Chelsea 2-0 Bolton April 30, 2005 (Lampard’s second goal) Lampard considers his second against Bolton to be his favourite strike.

Claude Makelele’s cutting through ball sets free Lampard, on the half-way line, who charges into the area, takes it round Jussi Jaaskelainen and sticks it in the net.

The goal sealed Chelsea’s first title for 50 years.

7.

Chelsea 2-1 Everton May 30, 2009 At one goal apiece Chelsea and Everton seemed to be evenly matched in the FA Cup final.

But Lampard didn’t fancy extra-time and grabbed his (traditional) 20th strike of the season with a left-footed piledriver to win the cup.

6.

Chelsea 7-0 Stoke April 25, 2010 (Lampard’s second goal) Lampard is not normally noted for his subtlety or technique, but this goal demonstrated that side of him at its best.

Sam Hutchinson whipped the ball in from the right and Lampard used the outside of his foot to fade the ball over Asmir Begovic and into the far corner.

Sumptuous .

5.

Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool April 30, 2008 Six days before this Champions League semi-final second leg, Lampard’s mother Pat died from pneumonia.

Eight minutes in to extra-time, Frank had the ball on the penalty spot.

He lashed it low, in to the corner of the net.

His celebration let all the emotion he had been holding back flood out.

Spine-tingling, heart-wrenching.

Although the goal is not spectacular, it will always be remembered as one of Lampard’s finest.

His penalty record is superb, too, so to include a spot kick is an appropriate tip of the hat to that.

4.

Hull 0 3 Chelsea October 29, 2008 Another example of Lampard’s superb technique and ability to find a goal out of nothing.

With a Chelsea attack breaking down on the left side of the box, Lampard wedged a delicate chip past the bewildered Boaz Myhill.

Chelsea manager at the time, Luiz Felipe Scolari, hailed it as the greatest goal he has ever seen.

And he’s managed Brazil.

3.

Chelsea 4-2 Bayern Munich April 6, 2005 Jose Mourinho was serving a two-match ban and so Chelsea relied on John Terry and Lampard for leadership.

Makelele lofted a cute cross towards the England midfielder who cushioned the ball on his chest, spun around and with his left foot hammered the ball superbly across the helpless Oliver Khan.

2.

Everton 1-2 Chelsea December 18, 2006 For all of Lampard’s skill, what he will be remembered for most is his ability to find the net from outside the area, in spectacular fashion.

And his strike at Goodison Park highlights that.

Receiving the ball from Salomon Kalou, and several Everton defenders blocking the path to goal, Lampard considered his options then decided the best choice was to blast the ball into the top corner.

Good call.

1.

Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea October 31, 2006 His die-hard detractors will claim to this day that he didn’t mean it.

But he hasn’t scored 200 goals by accident.

Lampard collects the ball on the left of the box by the touchline.

He has a look around and sees not a lot on in the middle.

So he goes for the cheeky and it pays off in style.