Frank Lampard in heartwarming gesture as he gives Manchester City shirt to grieving Stoke debutant Oliver Shenton

Shenton came on in the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City for his professional debut just two weeks after his mother died from cancer

Oliver Shenton and Frank Lampard (PA/Getty Images)

Frank Lampard is widely known as one of the good guys, someone who has kept himself out of trouble and always conducted himself with grace and elegance while competing for a sustained period at the top of the game. But his latest gesture is particularly heart-warming given what he did on Wednesday night.

Stoke were pretty much down and out after suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, Lampard’s current club, after goals from Sergio Aguero, James Milner and Samir Nasri.

However, it was a bitter-sweet moment for 17-year-old Oliver Shenton, who came off the bench in the 94th minute to make his professional debut for the club. While it will have been a proud moment for the midfielder, Shenton sadly lost his mother Mandy after a battle with breast cancer two weeks ago.

But what Lampard did next has been widely praised on Twitter. The former England midfielder spoke with Stoke striker Peter Crouch at the full-time, who pointed Shenton out as they left the pitch.

Lampard came on for David Silva in the 80th minute (Getty Images)

Shenton was sent on by Mark Hughes for his Premier League debut (PA)

City's Fernando and Stoke's Charlie Adam congratulate Shenton for his debut (PA)

Lampard walked over to the teenager to speak to him, and made a point out of swapping shirts with him as they made their way towards the tunnel.

The 36-year-old also lost his mother during his playing career, with his mum, Pat, passing away in April 2008 from pneumonia.