Frank Lampard was the Chelsea player in action for England on Tuesday night in Ukraine who naturally drew most attention, but in the wake of the game, he highlighted the displays from his two club colleagues alongside him.
Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole were part of a defence that kept an important clean sheet. The 0-0 draw kept in England top and in control of their World Cup qualification group with two home games to come.
Cahill drew much praise for his performance which included some crucial interventions when his team were under pressure. Lampard added to the compliments.
‘Gary has been consistent in a lot of difficult games we have played like the Champions League and Europa League finals,’ he said.
‘He has always performed fantastically well on those occasions. He has come on so much considering he’s only been with us [Chelsea] a couple of years and is now first choice for England.’
On Cole, whom he joins in the 100-cap club for his nation, Lampard said:
‘I thought he was fantastic, he was our best player.
‘He kept tight to their right winger and didn’t give him a chance to get a run in. The speed and fitness at his age is fantastic. He has great awareness and people talk about him going forward but defensively he is absolutely top drawer.
‘He really rises to the task of playing against top-class wide men. Ukraine had very good wingers and Ashley blocked them off straight away.’