Liverpool midfielder and captain Steven Gerrard has capped a brilliant week by being named the English Professional footballers Association Player of the Year by his fellow professionals.
At a gala ceremony in London's Grosvenor House Hotel last night, Gerrard beat off competition from fellow England internationals Wayne Rooney of Manchester United, Chelsea trio Frank Lampard, John Terry and Joe Cole as well as Arsenal's French striker Thierry Henry to land the top honour.
The award finishes off a sensational weekend for Gerrard after he helped Liverpool into the FA Cup final with a 2-1 victory against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday.
With 19 goals to his name so far this season, Gerrard currently sits at the top of the goalscoring charts at Anfield and has played an inspirational role in Liverpool securing Champions League football for next season with three games to spare.
Wayne Rooney was named PFA Young Player of the Year for the second successive season.
Rooney, who was also nominated for the senior player gong but lost out to Gerrard, has scored 21 goals so far this season after another magnificent campaign for the second-placed Manchester United.
The 20-year old striker beat team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, Charlton's Darren Bent, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, Tottenham's Aaron Lennon and West Ham's Anton Ferdinand to the honour.
PFA chief Gordon Taylor said of Rooney: "Wayne Rooney's development under Alex Ferguson has been great to see. He has been such a key part of a United side that has won the Carling Cup and, of late, has mounted a belated challenge to Chelsea in the title race."
