Lampard admits golden generation has flopped

LONDON: Frank Lampard admits England's stars have failed to live up to their 'golden generation' tag as Fabio Capello's side concluded its World Cup qualifying campaign against Belarus on Wednesday.

When Lampard, John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand and David Beckham broke into the England team within a year or two of each other, the emergence of so many talented young players prompted Adam Crozier, then the English FA's chief executive, to christen them the golden generation.

But Lampard claims the moniker has proved a weighty millstone around the players' necks as they tried in vain to fulfil the expectations thrust on them.