Frank Lampard hails ‘fantastic’ Coventry after beating former club Derby

Coventry head coach Frank Lampard described his team as “fantastic” after they staged a dramatic comeback to win 5-3 at his former club Derby.

Lampard saw his side twice go ahead and then trail before three late goals sealed a memorable victory.

A hint of the chaos to come arrived in the seventh minute when a low free-kick was punched by Jacob Widell Zetterstrom against Bobby Thomas with the ball bouncing in.

Derby equalised five minutes later through Callum Elder who whipped a free-kick into the top right corner but Coventry regained the lead in the 25th minute.

Ephron Mason-Clark was tripped by Dion Sanderson and Haji Wright smashed the penalty into the roof of the net.

Derby levelled for a second time after Thomas handled a cross and Carlton Morris rolled in the spot kick.

The home side led for the first and only time in the 50th minute when a long throw dropped to Ebou Adams who beat Carl Rushworth with a low shot.

But a crazy game turned on its head as Coventry scored three times in the space of eight minutes.

Brandon Thomas-Asante bundled in the rebound after Thomas headed against a post in the 72nd minute before Mason-Clark headed home at the back post three minutes later.

Any chance of another Derby comeback was wiped out in the 79th minute with Victor Torp firing a shot into the bottom corner to seal Coventry’s first win at Derby in 11 matches.

Lampard said: “I thought we were fantastic. It was a really tough match for us because of the style of Derby which makes it really difficult and I thought we dealt with it brilliantly.

“One of the biggest things is that we showed belief at 3-2 down, there was a feeling for me that we could still do something and the players did it so it’s one of my favourite games that I’ve had since I’ve been here.

“The belief of the team, the character and belief, they kept going at 3-2 and got what they deserved and then kept going again.

“It’s not easy, I know those games, you can never get the comfort you want in them but they had a real spirit in the dressing room before the game, during the game, at half-time and at the end of the game. You can’t do anything without that so that’s what pleased me.”

Derby head coach John Eustace said: “Obviously disappointed to lose the game but I thought we showed great character and a great attitude, especially going a goal down on two occasions and then to come back and take the lead was really pleasing.

“I think that shows the character of the group but then I’m disappointed at the way they scored their three goals in such quick time. It’s something we’ve got to learn from and we’ve got to be better in both boxes.

“I think the positive is we are getting players fitter, to go up against an excellent team with a fantastic squad of players, to go toe to toe with them like we did, we have to take encouragement from that. We know we are growing and I’m sure we’ll be a different team in six or seven games.”