Frank Lampard scores hat trick as NYCFC thrash Colorado Rapids

Frank Lampard scored a hat-trick as New York City strengthened their position at the top of Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference with a 5-1 thrashing of 10-man Colorado Rapids.

The Rapids went into the game in second place in the Western Conference, with games in hand on leaders FC Dallas.

However, they faced an uphill battle after Michael Azira was sent off in the 37th minute -- nine minutes after Lampard had opened the scoring.

Tony Taylor doubled the lead three minutes before the interval, and then three goals inside the last 15 minutes completed the rout.

Substitute Steven Mendoza got the third, before former England midfielder Lampard netted twice in three minutes -- the second of which was a penalty -- to complete his hat-trick

Shkelzen Gashi replied for the Rapids in the last minute - but it was little consolation.