Benitez and Lampard win monthly accolades
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Rafa Benitez has been named Barclays Manager of the Month for October after leading Liverpool to the top of the Premier League alongside Chelsea.
Notoriously the month when the wheels usually come off for Liverpool, The Reds excelled – going undefeated throughout the six games played in all competitions during October.
The highlight was of course Liverpool’s magnificent 1-0 victory at Chelsea, ending The Blues’ long unbeaten home record at Stamford Bridge.
That match showed Benitez’s tactical mastery, but it was two 3-2 thrillers that showed his ability to rouse his troops to come from behind.
Trailing 2-1 to Wigan at Anfield and then 2-0 away at Manchester City, The Reds twice came flying back thanks to the Spaniard's appreciation of how to affect a game.
The month also included home wins against Portsmouth and PSV, as well as the 1-1 draw away at Atletico Madrid.
Benitez can celebrate the award by leading Liverpool to their best ever Premier League tally after 13 games by beating Bolton on Saturday.
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Lamps named player of the Month
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 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.
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anelka also got what.. the "golden boot"