Seven-goal thrillers are hard to beat for excitement and Chelsea’s 4-3 League Cup win over Leicester City on November 31 2007 had all the elements of an absolute classic.

Frank Lampard completed his hat-trick deep into six minutes of stoppage time to see the Blues progress despite trailing 3-2 with less than five minutes of regulation time remaining.

Lampard’s scruffy third goal was perhaps summed up the chaotic nature of this tie.

Seconds remained at Stamford Bridge.

Foxes keeper Martin Fulop produced a marvelous save but could only palm the ball out to Claudio Pizarro, the striker latching onto the loose ball and clipping the bar with an effort.

Lampard headed goalwards, although it appeared he had been denied by a clearance on the line, and Andriy Shevchenko was waiting to pounce.

Goal! Andriy Shevchenko celebrates

The Ukrainian, who had only scored a few minutes earlier to make it 3-3, blasted in the rebound and it found its way home via a deflection from Juliano Belletti.

However, it was revealed Lampard’s header was the crucial touch and the England midfielder, who left the club this summer, was announced as a hat-trick hero.

Blues manager Avram Grant, who replaced Jose Mourinho at the helm in September of the same year, admitted he could not see who got the last touch. Not that he cared.

"I don't know who scored the last goal," said a relieved Grant in the aftermath of this epic contest. "I don't care. Chelsea scored it.

"We enjoyed the winning and scoring four goals but we didn't like what happened in the game because we conceded three goals.

"More importantly it showed that we have good character. I've never in my life given up until the last moment even if we're losing 2-0.

"In the last 10 minutes the players showed they have a big heart."

Back of the net: Lampard scores his second

Gareth McAuley's header gave City an early lead but Chelsea came roaring back to lead at the interval thanks to two typically-composed finishes from skipper Lampard.

Former Brentford man DJ campbell levelled things up and Carl Cort restored Leicester’s advantage and looked to have secured his side’s passage to round five.

Shevchenko’s leveller was dramatic and whipped the Bridge into a frenzy. Lampard sent them into complete euphoria at the death.

Chelsea would go on to make it all the way to the final at Wembley, however they were beaten 2-1 after extra-time by Tottenham. Didier Drogba scored the Blues goal.

The Blues take on their second successive newly-promoted club this weekend when they play Leicester at the Bridge.