DERBY COUNTY ruined former boss Frank Lampard’s fairy-tale return to Pride Park, in his first visit as an opposition manager, as they beat Coventry City 2-0.
A first half goal from defender Matt Clarke put the Rams ahead at half-time, before an early second-half finish by Marcus Harness settled the tie, with the victors rising to 22nd in the table as a result.
Lampard’s Coventry team lost their winning streak, having won nine games in a row prior to this match, the club’s best run in the Championship since the 1969/70 season. They came into the game as favourites, but a sluggish performance and poor finishing left the Sky Blues clouded in disappointment.
After dropping down a position to sixth in the league table, Coventry will need to show some resilience in their upcoming games against high-flying Sunderland and Sheffield United if they are going to complete their play-off mission.
As for Derby, last night’s win was a vital result in their bid for league survival with newly appointed manager John Eustace delighted to have won two games in a row:
“To do that again was outstanding. We are fighting for our lives. We want to stay in the league. We are fighters not victims and that’s the mentality that we are really trying to push with this group.” Eustace said.
That win puts Derby one point away from escaping the relegation zone with just nine games to go until the end of the season, whilst for Coventry who sit two points inside the play-offs a real collective effort is needed if Lampard is going to inspire a serious promotion push.
Can the Rams remain in the Championship, and can their former manager Frank Lampard take his Coventry side to the promised land of the Premier League?
