Super Frankie is still a hero
WITH friends reunited, the return of Frank Lampard delivered everything it had promised – except another upset.
No wonder Chelsea’s fans cannot wait for the day when the ‘L’ plates are off and he is ready to take the reins.
Goals, guile and the kind of attacking bravery that made him Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer – his Derby side brought it all as Lampard came home to an emotional Stamford Bridge.
It was just after 7.30pm when the man widely regarded as the Blues’ greatest-ever player emerged from the tunnel as a boss rather than the superstar who had scored 211 goals from midfield – lifting 11 major trophies – over 13 seasons.
Awaiting him in the Matthew Harding end were those Super Frankie Lampard banners, a mural bearing his image, his goals on the big screens and an entire stadium singing his name.
In the stands were his dad, Frank snr, uncle Harry Redknapp, ex-England team-mate Gareth Southgate and Claudio Ranieri, the man who signed Lampard for the Blues from West Ham in 2001.
There was also applause for Chelsea’s other two players, loanees and rising stars Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori. They had been, unusually, allowed to play against their parent club with Chelsea keen to accelerate their development.
Suffice to say, it is going well. Intent on proving their Manchester United win was no fluke, Derby were in Chelsea’s faces from the outset.
Unsurprisingly, the goals soon started flying in. Derby would hit the first three – just not all into the opposition net.
Five minutes in, defender Tomori had his head in his hands after slicing Davide Zappacosta’s cross from the byline past his own keeper, Scott Carson.
Lampard responded with his arms outstretched, palms down, urging his men to calm down.
They did – and were rewarded in the 10th minute. Tom Huddlestone robbed Cesc Fabregas in midfield, Gary Cahill slipped trying to reach his through ball and Jack Marriott finished calmly for his fourth goal in his last five games. Derby should have been ahead seven minutes later. Marriott sent Martyn Waghorn clear, only for the striker to lose his composure and scuff straight at Willy Caballero.
Lampard’s Rams would rue the missed opportunity. Another Zappacosta cross from the right forced another own goal, the ball this time going in off Richard Keogh.
Still Derby kept their nerve. Still they refused to throw in the towel. Ten minutes later Waghorn finally did score. Mount broke in behind from a throw, sent a low ball into the box and the frontman tucked it away. Lampard nodded his satisfaction.
The decisive goal came four minutes before half time, Fabregas taking advantage of poor goalkeeping from Carson to score. Cahill nearly grabbed a fourth, his free header saved by Carson on 59 minutes.
Still Derby would not give up. Marriott left home hearts in mouths as he raced clear on 67 minutes and drove in a fierce effort which Caballero did well to parry. Substitute
David Nugent came even closer, beating Caballero with his angled 88th-minute drive, only to hit the post. Lampard had his head in his hands. His team would leave as heroes. He is already a legend here.