Frank Lampard says Chelsea’s players were full of praise for his Derby County team after the Carabao Cup clash at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues progressed to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup after beating Championship outfit Derby 3-2 on Wednesday evening. Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori, on loan at Derby, scored an early own goal but Jack Marriott rifled home an equaliser just four minutes later.
Attempting another clearance, Richard Keogh followed Tomori in putting the ball into his own net as Chelsea retook the lead on 21 minutes.
Martyn Waghorn turned home Chelsea loanee Mason Mount’s cross midway through the first half but Chelsea still led at half-time after Cesc Fabregas’ finish. The fourth-round clash ended 3-2 in Chelsea’s favour but Lampard says the Premier League stars praised his team following the match. ‘We really contributed to the night, this is a fantastic Chelsea team and we competed,’ the Blues legend told Sky Sports.
‘Of course they are going to control the game and maybe have more of the ball. But we gifted them two goals and wasted a lot of chances. ‘The pride of the evening overshadows [those mistakes].
I think we deserved a draw but I’m not upset at all. It makes me happy. ‘Talking to the Chelsea players and some of their staff after the game, they were all praising us and saying how good we were. ‘I’m so proud of my Derby County players.’ Lampard received a superb reception from the Chelsea faithful upon his return to Stamford Bridge.
And he said: ‘I’m so thankful to the Chelsea fans. They know how I feel about them. ‘I’ve got nothing but 13 years of great memories at this place.
I come back and they act like that. I can only thank them and the Derby fans as well. ‘I’m a lucky man to get an evening like that. I thank everybody.’