Frank Lampard is "still playing like he's 18 years old" and driving Manchester City's Premier League title race with former club Chelsea, according to Pablo Zabaleta.

Full-back Zabaleta hailed Lampard's growing influence as the City hierarchy consider whether to seek an extension to the 36-year-old's Etihad Stadium loan deal.

Former Chelsea and England midfielder Lampard fired his 174th Premier League goal in City's 3-0 victory at Southampton on Sunday.

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The ex-West Ham star is scheduled to join New York City FC in January after leaving Chelsea last summer, but Manchester City remain keen to extend his stay in the north west.

Shape Created with Sketch. Manchester City - the latest match pictures Show all 111 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Manchester City - the latest match pictures 1/111 Burnley 1 Manchester City 0 George Boyd shoots to score the opening, and winning, goal for Burnley GETTY IMAGES 2/111 Burnley 1 Manchester City 0 George Boyd celebrates GETTY IMAGES 3/111 Burnley 1 Manchester City 0 Sergio Aguero in action against Burnley GETTY IMAGES 4/111 Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 Vincent Kompany sits among the subs after being dropped GETTY IMAGES 5/111 Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 David Silva puts Manchester City in the lead GETTY IMAGES 6/111 Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 David Silva celebrates his goal 7/111 Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 Wilfred Bony in action for Manchester City GETTY IMAGES 8/111 Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 James Milner celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES 9/111 Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 Wilfried Bony came on in the victory over Newcastle to make his Man City debut. Getty 10/111 Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 A quick-fire David Silva double put City five goals to the good. Getty 11/111 Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 Edin Dzeko tripled Newcastle's misery with a third goal before half-time. Getty 12/111 Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 Samir Nasri doubled Manchester City's lead with an emphatic strike. Getty 13/111 Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 Sergio Aguero put Manchester City ahead inside two minutes after Vernon Anita gave away an early penalty. Getty 14/111 Manchester City 1 Hull 1 Samir Nasri celebrates with James Milner after the latter scores the equaliser against Hull Getty Images 15/111 Manchester City 1 Hull 1 James Milner curls a free-kick in to the back of the net to salvage a 1-1 draw with Hull Getty Images 16/111 Manchester City 1 Hull 1 Sergio Aguero has a close-range shot stopped by Allan McGregor Getty Images 17/111 Manchester City 1 Hull 1 David Meylor scores to put Hull into the lead against Manchester City Getty Images 18/111 Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 Olivier Giroud heads Arsenal 2-0 in front GETTY IMAGES 19/111 Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 Aaron Ramsey misses the target 20/111 Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 Olivier Giroud celebrates with Santi Cazorla 21/111 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Manchester City target Ross Barkley battles with Fernando in midfield Getty Images 22/111 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Stevan Jovetic has an attempt at the Everton goal Getty Images 23/111 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Joel Robles steals the feet from Samir Nasri's toes Getty Images 24/111 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Romelu Lukaku has a shot well saved by England goalkeeper Joe Hart Getty Images 25/111 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Fernandinho heads the visitors into the lead Getty Images 26/111 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Sergio Aguero returned from injury but was not able to inspire City to victory Getty Images 27/111 Man City 2 Sheff Wed 1 James Milner scores his team's second goal to take a 2-1 lead Getty Images 28/111 Man City 2 Sheff Wed 1 James Milner celebrates scoring his team's first goal Getty Images 29/111 Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Yaya Toure of Manchester City celebrates the opening goal GETTY IMAGES 30/111 Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Stevan Jovetic scores to put the home side in control GETTY IMAGES 31/111 Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Jack Rodwell of Sunderland heads his goal to make it 2-1 GETTY IMAGES 32/111 Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Adam Johnson made things all square at the Etihad moments later GETTY IMAGES 33/111 Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 However Frank Lampard headed in the winner for Manchester City just after coming off the bench GETTY IMAGES 34/111 Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Lampard celebrates his winning goal GETTY IMAGES 35/111 Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 Manchester City's Spanish midfielder David Silva (R) scores the opening goal GETTY IMAGES 36/111 Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 Fernandinho of Manchester City scores their second goal to put the champions in total control GETTY IMAGES 37/111 Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 George Boyd of Burnley celebrates after pulling one back GETTY IMAGES 38/111 Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 Ashley Barnes scores a stunner for the visitors to bring things level GETTY IMAGES 39/111 Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 Scott Arfield celebrates the equaliser for Burnley GETTY IMAGES 40/111 West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 West Brom players bundle the ball over the line for a late consolation with Brown Ideye appearing to get the last touch Getty Images 41/111 West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 David Silva celebrates scoring Manchester City's third goal Getty Images 42/111 West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 David Silva runs through the snow at the Hawthorns Getty Images 43/111 West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 Yaya Toure converts a first-half penalty to double City's lead Getty Images 44/111 West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 Joleon Lescott brings down David Silva to give away a first-half penalty Getty Images 45/111 West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 Ben Foster looks dejected as the snow falls following his error that allowed Fernando to score Getty Images 46/111 West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 Yaya Toure celebrates with Fernando after the latter puts City ahead Getty Images 47/111 Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 Yaya Toure fires home the third to put the result beyond doubt Getty Images 48/111 Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City players celebrate after David Silva scores Getty Images 49/111 Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 James McArthur had a headed goal ruled out incorrectly for offside with the score at 2-0 Getty Images 50/111 Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 Dacid Silva strokes home his and City's second goal Getty Images 51/111 Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 Brede Hangeland and Martin Kelly are unable to prevent David Silva's deflected shot going in to break the deadlock Getty Images 52/111 Leicester 0 Manchester City 1 Joe Hart pulls off a fantastic save from Esteban Cambiasso's free-kick Getty Images 53/111 Leicester 0 Manchester City 1 Frank Lampard celebrates with Samir Nasri after giving Manchester City the lead Getty Images 54/111 Leicester 0 Manchester City 1 Frank Lampard taps the ball past goalkeeper Ben Hamer Getty Images 55/111 Leicester 0 Manchester City 1 Leicester fans remain defiant in their support of Nigel Pearson after his clash with a fan last week Getty Images 56/111 Roma 0 Manchester City 2 City players celebrate their victory in Rome Getty Images 57/111 Roma 0 Manchester City 2 Manchester City's Samir Nasri wheels away in celebration Getty Images 58/111 Manchester City 1 Everton 0 Pablo Zabaleta checks on Yaya Toure after the midfielder collapses with a leg injury Getty Images 59/111 Manchester City 1 Everton 0 Yaya Toure scores from the penalty spot what would turn out to be the match-winning goal Getty Images 60/111 Manchester City 1 Everton 0 Phil Jagielka clips his England team-mate James Milner to give away a penalty Getty Images 61/111 Manchester City 1 Everton 0 Sergio Aguero limps off the field after just two minutes with what appeared to be a serious left knee injury Getty Images 62/111 Sunderland 1 Manchester City 4 Zabaleta prepares to celebrate after scoring GETTY IMAGES 63/111 Sunderland 1 Manchester City 4 Sergio Aguero is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring his second GETTY IMAGES 64/111 Sunderland 1 Manchester City 4 Stevan Jovetic celebrates after putting Manchester City ahead in the win over Sunderland Getty Images 65/111 Sunderland 1 Manchester City 4 Connor Wickham chips the ball over Pablo Zabaleta and beyond Joe Hart's reach to give Sunderland the lead Getty Images 66/111 Southampton 0 Man City 3 Manuel Pellegrini clashes with referee Mike Jones GETTY IMAGES 67/111 Southampton 0 Man City 3 Frank Lamaprd scores City's second GETTY IMAGES 68/111 Manchester City 2 Swansea 1 Yaya Toure puts City into the lead Getty Images 69/111 Manchester City 2 Swansea 1 Stevan Jovetic taps home from close-range to equalise for City Getty Images 70/111 Manchester City 2 Swansea 1 Wilfried Bony celebrates scoring for Swansea as Joe Hart looks on in despair Getty Images 71/111 Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Doumbia’s put CSKA into a quick lead in this Champions League meeting Getty Images 72/111 Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Yaya Toure however brought things level after eight minutes Getty Images 73/111 Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Doumbia was to put the visitors back in front however Getty Images 74/111 Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Then things got worse for City, with Yaya Toure being sent off Getty Images 75/111 Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Fernandinho was also sent off for good measure Getty Images 76/111 Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Chris Smalling picks up a booking for blocking Joe Hart Getty 77/111 Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Later in the first half, Smalling was shown another and then sent off Getty 78/111 Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Kompany tackles Di Maria Getty 79/111 Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Sergio Aguero celebrates the only goal of the game Getty 80/111 Manchester City 0 Newcastle 2 Moussa Sissoko celebrates scoring Newcastle's second goal Getty Images 81/111 Manchester City 0 Newcastle 2 David Silva was substituted after suffering a knee injury Getty Images 82/111 Manchester City 0 Newcastle 2 Rolando Aarons watches as his effort finds the corner of the Manchester City goal to give Newcastle the lead Getty Images 83/111 West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 David Silva and Vincent Kompany celebrate after Silva's stunning effort - but it wasn't enough Getty Images 84/111 West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia celebrate what turned out to be the winning goal Getty Images 85/111 West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Joe Hart of Manchester City fails to stop the header by Diafra Sakho GETTY IMAGES 86/111 West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Sakho heads home his seventh goal in seven matches to put West Ham 2-0 up Getty Images 87/111 West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 City midfielder Fernando tangles with West Ham's Cheikhou Kouyate Getty Images 88/111 West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Morgan Amalfitano gives West Ham the lead in the early part of the match, turning in a cross from Enner Valencia Getty Images 89/111 West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Barcelona loanee Alex Song was an impressive force for the Hammers in midfield Getty Images 90/111 CSKA 2 Manchester City 2 Sergio Aguero and James Milner put City into a two goal lead by half-time in this Champions League group game GETTY IMAGES 91/111 CSKA 2 Manchester City 2 Ferdando was booked for this challenge GETTY IMAGES 92/111 CSKA 2 Manchester City 2 CSKA Moscow pulled one back and then Natcho equalised from the spot for the hosts GETTY IMAGES 93/111 CSKA 2 Manchester City 2 City pushed for a winner in the final few minutes but to no avail GETTY IMAGES 94/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero completes his hat-trick from the penalty spot to put City 3-1 up GETTY IMAGES 95/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Roberto Soldado reflects on his penalty miss GETTY IMAGES 96/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero sees City's second penalty of the game saved and then hits the rebound over GETTY IMAGES 97/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 David Silva is fouled to give City their second penalty GETTY IMAGES 98/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero gets his second of the afternoon from the penalty spot GETTY IMAGES 99/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Frank Lampard is fouled by Erik Lamela to give City a penalty GETTY IMAGES 100/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Christian Eriksen celebrates his equaliser for Spurs GETTY IMAGES 101/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Christian Eriksen equalises for Spurs GETTY IMAGES 102/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero celebrates his opening goal GETTY IMAGES 103/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero fires City into the lead GETTY IMAGES 104/111 Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 2 Sergio Aguero celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES 105/111 Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 2 Sergio Aguero makes it two with a smart low finish GETTY IMAGES 106/111 Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 2 Yaya Toure finally breaks the deadlock and puts City in front GETTY IMAGES 107/111 Manchester City 1 Roma 1 Sergio Aguero slots home from the spot early in the Champions League match Getty Images 108/111 Manchester City 1 Roma 1 Joe Hart can't stop Totti bringing the scores level Getty Images 109/111 Manchester City 1 Roma 1 Former Arsenal team-mates Gael Clichy and Gervinho come together Getty Images 110/111 Manchester City 1 Roma 1 Martin Demichelis rises into the air during this game at the Etihad Getty Images 111/111 Hull City 2 Manchester City 4 Substitute Frank Lampard made in four goals in three matches to secure the three points for City at the KC Stadium Getty Images 1/111 Burnley 1 Manchester City 0 George Boyd shoots to score the opening, and winning, goal for Burnley GETTY IMAGES 2/111 Burnley 1 Manchester City 0 George Boyd celebrates GETTY IMAGES 3/111 Burnley 1 Manchester City 0 Sergio Aguero in action against Burnley GETTY IMAGES 4/111 Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 Vincent Kompany sits among the subs after being dropped GETTY IMAGES 5/111 Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 David Silva puts Manchester City in the lead GETTY IMAGES 6/111 Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 David Silva celebrates his goal 7/111 Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 Wilfred Bony in action for Manchester City GETTY IMAGES 8/111 Manchester City 2 Leicester 0 James Milner celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES 9/111 Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 Wilfried Bony came on in the victory over Newcastle to make his Man City debut. Getty 10/111 Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 A quick-fire David Silva double put City five goals to the good. Getty 11/111 Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 Edin Dzeko tripled Newcastle's misery with a third goal before half-time. Getty 12/111 Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 Samir Nasri doubled Manchester City's lead with an emphatic strike. Getty 13/111 Manchester City 5 Newcastle 0 Sergio Aguero put Manchester City ahead inside two minutes after Vernon Anita gave away an early penalty. Getty 14/111 Manchester City 1 Hull 1 Samir Nasri celebrates with James Milner after the latter scores the equaliser against Hull Getty Images 15/111 Manchester City 1 Hull 1 James Milner curls a free-kick in to the back of the net to salvage a 1-1 draw with Hull Getty Images 16/111 Manchester City 1 Hull 1 Sergio Aguero has a close-range shot stopped by Allan McGregor Getty Images 17/111 Manchester City 1 Hull 1 David Meylor scores to put Hull into the lead against Manchester City Getty Images 18/111 Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 Olivier Giroud heads Arsenal 2-0 in front GETTY IMAGES 19/111 Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 Aaron Ramsey misses the target 20/111 Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2 Olivier Giroud celebrates with Santi Cazorla 21/111 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Manchester City target Ross Barkley battles with Fernando in midfield Getty Images 22/111 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Stevan Jovetic has an attempt at the Everton goal Getty Images 23/111 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Joel Robles steals the feet from Samir Nasri's toes Getty Images 24/111 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Romelu Lukaku has a shot well saved by England goalkeeper Joe Hart Getty Images 25/111 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Fernandinho heads the visitors into the lead Getty Images 26/111 Everton 1 Manchester City 1 Sergio Aguero returned from injury but was not able to inspire City to victory Getty Images 27/111 Man City 2 Sheff Wed 1 James Milner scores his team's second goal to take a 2-1 lead Getty Images 28/111 Man City 2 Sheff Wed 1 James Milner celebrates scoring his team's first goal Getty Images 29/111 Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Yaya Toure of Manchester City celebrates the opening goal GETTY IMAGES 30/111 Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Stevan Jovetic scores to put the home side in control GETTY IMAGES 31/111 Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Jack Rodwell of Sunderland heads his goal to make it 2-1 GETTY IMAGES 32/111 Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Adam Johnson made things all square at the Etihad moments later GETTY IMAGES 33/111 Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 However Frank Lampard headed in the winner for Manchester City just after coming off the bench GETTY IMAGES 34/111 Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2 Lampard celebrates his winning goal GETTY IMAGES 35/111 Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 Manchester City's Spanish midfielder David Silva (R) scores the opening goal GETTY IMAGES 36/111 Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 Fernandinho of Manchester City scores their second goal to put the champions in total control GETTY IMAGES 37/111 Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 George Boyd of Burnley celebrates after pulling one back GETTY IMAGES 38/111 Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 Ashley Barnes scores a stunner for the visitors to bring things level GETTY IMAGES 39/111 Manchester City 2 Burnley 2 Scott Arfield celebrates the equaliser for Burnley GETTY IMAGES 40/111 West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 West Brom players bundle the ball over the line for a late consolation with Brown Ideye appearing to get the last touch Getty Images 41/111 West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 David Silva celebrates scoring Manchester City's third goal Getty Images 42/111 West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 David Silva runs through the snow at the Hawthorns Getty Images 43/111 West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 Yaya Toure converts a first-half penalty to double City's lead Getty Images 44/111 West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 Joleon Lescott brings down David Silva to give away a first-half penalty Getty Images 45/111 West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 Ben Foster looks dejected as the snow falls following his error that allowed Fernando to score Getty Images 46/111 West Brom 1 Manchester City 3 Yaya Toure celebrates with Fernando after the latter puts City ahead Getty Images 47/111 Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 Yaya Toure fires home the third to put the result beyond doubt Getty Images 48/111 Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City players celebrate after David Silva scores Getty Images 49/111 Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 James McArthur had a headed goal ruled out incorrectly for offside with the score at 2-0 Getty Images 50/111 Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 Dacid Silva strokes home his and City's second goal Getty Images 51/111 Manchester 3 Crystal Palace 0 Brede Hangeland and Martin Kelly are unable to prevent David Silva's deflected shot going in to break the deadlock Getty Images 52/111 Leicester 0 Manchester City 1 Joe Hart pulls off a fantastic save from Esteban Cambiasso's free-kick Getty Images 53/111 Leicester 0 Manchester City 1 Frank Lampard celebrates with Samir Nasri after giving Manchester City the lead Getty Images 54/111 Leicester 0 Manchester City 1 Frank Lampard taps the ball past goalkeeper Ben Hamer Getty Images 55/111 Leicester 0 Manchester City 1 Leicester fans remain defiant in their support of Nigel Pearson after his clash with a fan last week Getty Images 56/111 Roma 0 Manchester City 2 City players celebrate their victory in Rome Getty Images 57/111 Roma 0 Manchester City 2 Manchester City's Samir Nasri wheels away in celebration Getty Images 58/111 Manchester City 1 Everton 0 Pablo Zabaleta checks on Yaya Toure after the midfielder collapses with a leg injury Getty Images 59/111 Manchester City 1 Everton 0 Yaya Toure scores from the penalty spot what would turn out to be the match-winning goal Getty Images 60/111 Manchester City 1 Everton 0 Phil Jagielka clips his England team-mate James Milner to give away a penalty Getty Images 61/111 Manchester City 1 Everton 0 Sergio Aguero limps off the field after just two minutes with what appeared to be a serious left knee injury Getty Images 62/111 Sunderland 1 Manchester City 4 Zabaleta prepares to celebrate after scoring GETTY IMAGES 63/111 Sunderland 1 Manchester City 4 Sergio Aguero is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring his second GETTY IMAGES 64/111 Sunderland 1 Manchester City 4 Stevan Jovetic celebrates after putting Manchester City ahead in the win over Sunderland Getty Images 65/111 Sunderland 1 Manchester City 4 Connor Wickham chips the ball over Pablo Zabaleta and beyond Joe Hart's reach to give Sunderland the lead Getty Images 66/111 Southampton 0 Man City 3 Manuel Pellegrini clashes with referee Mike Jones GETTY IMAGES 67/111 Southampton 0 Man City 3 Frank Lamaprd scores City's second GETTY IMAGES 68/111 Manchester City 2 Swansea 1 Yaya Toure puts City into the lead Getty Images 69/111 Manchester City 2 Swansea 1 Stevan Jovetic taps home from close-range to equalise for City Getty Images 70/111 Manchester City 2 Swansea 1 Wilfried Bony celebrates scoring for Swansea as Joe Hart looks on in despair Getty Images 71/111 Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Doumbia’s put CSKA into a quick lead in this Champions League meeting Getty Images 72/111 Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Yaya Toure however brought things level after eight minutes Getty Images 73/111 Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Doumbia was to put the visitors back in front however Getty Images 74/111 Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Then things got worse for City, with Yaya Toure being sent off Getty Images 75/111 Manchester City 1 CSKA Moscow 2 Fernandinho was also sent off for good measure Getty Images 76/111 Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Chris Smalling picks up a booking for blocking Joe Hart Getty 77/111 Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Later in the first half, Smalling was shown another and then sent off Getty 78/111 Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Kompany tackles Di Maria Getty 79/111 Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Sergio Aguero celebrates the only goal of the game Getty 80/111 Manchester City 0 Newcastle 2 Moussa Sissoko celebrates scoring Newcastle's second goal Getty Images 81/111 Manchester City 0 Newcastle 2 David Silva was substituted after suffering a knee injury Getty Images 82/111 Manchester City 0 Newcastle 2 Rolando Aarons watches as his effort finds the corner of the Manchester City goal to give Newcastle the lead Getty Images 83/111 West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 David Silva and Vincent Kompany celebrate after Silva's stunning effort - but it wasn't enough Getty Images 84/111 West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia celebrate what turned out to be the winning goal Getty Images 85/111 West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Joe Hart of Manchester City fails to stop the header by Diafra Sakho GETTY IMAGES 86/111 West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Sakho heads home his seventh goal in seven matches to put West Ham 2-0 up Getty Images 87/111 West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 City midfielder Fernando tangles with West Ham's Cheikhou Kouyate Getty Images 88/111 West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Morgan Amalfitano gives West Ham the lead in the early part of the match, turning in a cross from Enner Valencia Getty Images 89/111 West Ham 2 Manchester City 1 Barcelona loanee Alex Song was an impressive force for the Hammers in midfield Getty Images 90/111 CSKA 2 Manchester City 2 Sergio Aguero and James Milner put City into a two goal lead by half-time in this Champions League group game GETTY IMAGES 91/111 CSKA 2 Manchester City 2 Ferdando was booked for this challenge GETTY IMAGES 92/111 CSKA 2 Manchester City 2 CSKA Moscow pulled one back and then Natcho equalised from the spot for the hosts GETTY IMAGES 93/111 CSKA 2 Manchester City 2 City pushed for a winner in the final few minutes but to no avail GETTY IMAGES 94/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero completes his hat-trick from the penalty spot to put City 3-1 up GETTY IMAGES 95/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Roberto Soldado reflects on his penalty miss GETTY IMAGES 96/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero sees City's second penalty of the game saved and then hits the rebound over GETTY IMAGES 97/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 David Silva is fouled to give City their second penalty GETTY IMAGES 98/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero gets his second of the afternoon from the penalty spot GETTY IMAGES 99/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Frank Lampard is fouled by Erik Lamela to give City a penalty GETTY IMAGES 100/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Christian Eriksen celebrates his equaliser for Spurs GETTY IMAGES 101/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Christian Eriksen equalises for Spurs GETTY IMAGES 102/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero celebrates his opening goal GETTY IMAGES 103/111 Manchester City 3 Tottenham 1 Sergio Aguero fires City into the lead GETTY IMAGES 104/111 Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 2 Sergio Aguero celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES 105/111 Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 2 Sergio Aguero makes it two with a smart low finish GETTY IMAGES 106/111 Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 2 Yaya Toure finally breaks the deadlock and puts City in front GETTY IMAGES 107/111 Manchester City 1 Roma 1 Sergio Aguero slots home from the spot early in the Champions League match Getty Images 108/111 Manchester City 1 Roma 1 Joe Hart can't stop Totti bringing the scores level Getty Images 109/111 Manchester City 1 Roma 1 Former Arsenal team-mates Gael Clichy and Gervinho come together Getty Images 110/111 Manchester City 1 Roma 1 Martin Demichelis rises into the air during this game at the Etihad Getty Images 111/111 Hull City 2 Manchester City 4 Substitute Frank Lampard made in four goals in three matches to secure the three points for City at the KC Stadium Getty Images

"For me what makes Frank Lampard special is how professional he is in training: this is what I appreciate from him," said Zabaleta.

"You see him at training: he is the first to arrive on the training ground and the last to go home.

"He won everything with Chelsea, he's a legend in football and he's still playing like he's 18 years old."

Lampard coolly slotted City's second and decisive goal at St Mary's on Sunday, helping Manuel Pellegrini's side shrug off a red card for defender Eliaquim Mangala.

City leapfrogged Saints into second place in the Premier League table, closing the gap on leaders Chelsea to six points.

Pellegrini's men face Sunderland on Wearside on Wednesday night, with midfield general Yaya Toure pledging to ignore criticis of his early-season fight for form.

The Ivory Coast star is ready to put a hectic 12 months behind him and lead City's title race against Jose Mourinho's Chelsea.

Toure, who struck City's first goal at Saints on Sunday, has endured the death of his brother, detractors of his form and a spat with club bosses over his birthday.

Now though, the 31-year-old is fully focused on bringing more silverware to the Etihad Stadium.

"For me the most important thing is I try to do my best for the team," said Toure.

"Sometimes people are not thinking we are human beings, people are always trying to criticise you even though you are a human being.

"So I never think about those things, I always try to focus on my team.

"The Premier League is important, and whenever we lose we will get criticised.

"Teams will always step up their game against us, and we know we've got to try to keep place with Chelsea."

PA

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