Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 10y

Manuel Pellegrini won't change plans for Frank Lampard despite fine form

Manuel Pellegrini denied Frank Lampard has given him a selection problem by taking his tally to three goals in two games with a brace in Manchester City's 7-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday.

- Mooney: Lampard leads second-half charge

The veteran midfielder came off the bench to score against his former club Chelsea on Sunday and then added two goals as City began their defence of the Capital One Cup in emphatic fashion.

Lampard was brought to the Etihad Stadium on loan until January from New York City FC to provide back-up to Yaya Toure, Fernandinho and Fernando in the centre of midfield but has pressed his case to play regularly.

And manager Pellegrini said in a news conference: "For me it is never difficult to put a good player in a team. I always say the problem is when you don't have the players. I think it's very important for Frank to score again today. I said after the game against Chelsea [that] he is a very important player for our team.

"He is now 36 years old and maybe he cannot play three games in a row, but he continues knowing how to play this sport and Frank is a top player in that sense."

The game was held up in the closing stages when a City supporter invaded the pitch and took a photograph with Lampard before being ejected by stewards.

And without condoning his actions, Pellegrini said he could understand why he wanted to pay tribute to the veteran.

He added: "It's because he deserved it. He has his story in football here in England and I am very happy for him."

Edin Dzeko (two), Yaya Toure, Jesus Navas and debutant Jose Pozo also scored and Pellegrini praised the 18-year-old newcomer.

He said: "Pozo is a really good prospect for us, he is a player we believe in a lot. Last season he was unlucky with an ankle injury and for a long time he was trying to recover but he has shown a great level recently.

All of City's seven goals came after the break and Pellegrini explained: "Maybe it was the change of attitude in the second half. I think that we were more aggressive. Also when Sheffield played with one player less [after Kamil Zayatte's sending off] it was easier for us. But the minutes when we scored the four first goals is the way the team must play and the best reward is playing that way, more than the amount of goals that you score."

James Milner, who excelled against Chelsea, turned in another fine performance and Pellegrini said he was not surprised.

He added: "No, because I know what James Milner can do on the pitch. I think he is a player who always works 100 percent every day, if he's in the starting 11 or not, he's always a great professional. Maybe in the last year he didn't play so much as he wanted to, because the level of David Silva, Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas but now he's demonstrating every game that he plays what he can give to our team, so I am very happy for him."

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