‘FRANK HAD LOOK

PATRICK VIEIRA and Frank Lampard spent little time in each other’s company away from the day job when the two of them were together at New York City.

There in the Big Apple, Vieira was taking his first steps in frontline management while Lampard was bringing a close to a glittering playing career.

But the Arsenal legend – who is now in charge of Crystal Palace – had a hunch even then that he may one day lock horns in the technical area with the former Chelsea hero.

And, six years on, that comes to pass at Selhurst Park today when Lampard and his Everton side roll into town for an FA Cup quarterfinal. Vieira said: “When we were in

New York, the way he was talking and seeing him today as a manager, I’m not surprised.

“When I was making a decision about the game plan, of course, having Frank and Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, I was talking to them about what we were trying to do.

“And they were coming up with some ideas that I could use as well and always having feedback.

“Those experiences are massively important when you are a manager and when you are working with those type of players.

“Here I talk a lot with Luka

Milivojevic, because he has this international head on him and an understanding of the game as well.

“It’s always good to have some feedback from players.”

Only two years separate Vieira, 45, and Lampard, 43, and in terms of success there is little to choose between them.

Both won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups – while Lampard enjoyed more club success in Europe, where he won the Champions League and the Europa League.

Vieira never got to taste those