Fans were 12th man: Lamps

Frank Lampard hailed England’s fans and claimed they were the driving force behind the team’s 1-0 World Cup win over Paraguay.

The Chelsea midfielder also stressed that the team will get better as the tournament progresses, but also insisted that the positive result was the most important aspect of all.

Lampard said: "Since we’ve been out in Germany we’ve felt the buzz – driving to the stadium, warming up – with the fans there it really gives you a tingle.

"It gives you an extra spring in your step and I think they were our 12th man today and they’ll get even better, like we will throughout the tournament."

In blistering heat, Lampard admitted that the players had to endure energy-sapping conditions in Frankfurt, but revealed the team was pleased with the victory.

He added: "I think once the dust settles, we will realise what an important result that was to get us started in the group. I think they were more used to this sort of climate. But there are no excuses there – we got our result.

"There are things we can work on and get better. You don’t want to start the competition at your peak – you want to gradually get there hopefully."

Stay with TheFA.com as England's quest for glory continues.