Saturday, November 15, 2008

Rafa Benitez Gets Manager Of The Month Award

Frank Lampard and Rafael Benitez have been named the Barclays Premier League player and manager of the month for October.

It is the third time Lampard has been voted the top flight’s best performer - coming exactly three years after the last time - and is just reward for a month in which he scored twice and helped Chelsea secure three league wins out of four.

The highlight of a productive October was the England star’s sublime chip which put the Blues on their way to a 3-0 victory at Hull, and he now stands just behind the leading group of six players - including Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney - who have won the monthly accolade on four occasions.

The only blemish on Chelsea’s record in October came with a 1-0 home defeat by Liverpool, whose manager Benitez led the Merseysiders to a perfect four wins out of four.

Manchester City and Wigan were also beaten by the Reds after thrilling comebacks, while Portsmouth were edged out at Anfield.

Benitez has now won the award on four occasions, putting him seventh on the all-time list.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has, meanwhile, been awarded the Barclays Golden Boot for becoming the first player to score 10 goals in the top flight this season.

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