Lampard makes his mark in Cup
Derby County goalkeeper Scott Carson dives to save a penalty from Manchester United defender Phil Jones during the penalty shootout after their English League Cup third-round match at Old Trafford in Manchester on Tuesday. Derby won 8-7.
Former Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard made his mark as a manager with Tuesday’s League Cup win over Manchester United at Old Trafford — and says he is enjoying his new role in the game.
Lampard’s intelligent and dynamic midfield play earned him 106 caps for his country and he won three Premier League titles at Chelsea as well as the Champions League in 2012.
But after having his name chanted by celebrating Derby supporters, Lampard said no longer being on the field was not something he was missing.
“I am very content I am not playing anymore. It felt very special here, as special as playing. I had 21 years as a professional but the end was at the right time, I don’t miss it as much... this is my new thing and I like doing my job, I am enjoying it,” he said.
As well as moving into the last 16 of the League Cup, Derby has made a decent start to the season in the second-tier Championship and is sixth after its weekend win over Brentford.
And while many managers are happy to rotate their squads and bring in fringe players for the League Cup — Lampard played his first choice line-up and was rewarded with a win that can only boost his team’s confidence. “It was the easiest selection I’ve had. They played so well against Brentford and I knew how much they all wanted to play. I wanted to come here and win,” he said.
Plenty of managers cite the need for their first choice players to rest but Lampard said the natural progress of the season will provide opportunities for most of his squad.
“I wanted to keep a bit of momentum. The season will dictate to me, players will change with form or injury, we have got another shed load of games coming in the Championship and now in the Cup. I felt this was one where we go again — we have a few days recovery before Bolton (Wanderers),” he added.
Derby won 8-7 on penalties after it ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, scoring all of its spot kicks. In fact, Derby could and probably should have had the game won in normal time. Only a stoppage-time header from United substitute Marouane Fellaini denied it victory.
“It was a special performance — to come to Manchester United and not to just nick one, but to play the way we played, doing all the things we have been working towards in a short space of time,” said Lampard.
