Frank Lampard reaction wows as Coventry stun Mark Robins’ Stoke with ‘offside’ goal
Coventry City manager Frank Lampard stunned pundits with his “incredible” reaction after his side scored a controversial late winner against Stoke City.
The Sky Blues faced their former manager in Mark Robins on Saturday (8 March) with the 55-year-old having taken charge of the Potters after being sacked late last year.
In his place it was Lampard who was brought in by Coventry only to endure a difficult start to his time in charge.
However, the former Chelsea man has managed to turn things around at the CBS Arena, with talks with Pep Guardiola and Thomas Frank helping that, as that victory over Stoke moving them into the Championship play-off places.
That came in dramatic and seemingly controversial circumstances, that prompted an emotional response from Lampard.
Frank Lampard produces emphatic celebration after late win
It had looked as though the Sky Blues were well set to cruise to victory in this game with a brace from Victor Torp putting them 2-0 up with half an hour gone.
Coventry were then denied what looked a clear penalty on the stroke of half-time when Stoke goalkeeper Viktor Johansson brought down Ephron Mason-Clarke inside the penalty area, with Sweden international also avoiding a red card for the challenge.
It seemed that would prove costly as a second half brace from Sam Gallagher pulled the scoreline back to 2-2.
But in the seventh minute of second half stoppage time, the hosts would seal the win, when Bobby Thomas fired in from the edge of the area after Stoke had only half cleared a cross.
| Coventry last five games | Result |
| QPR (H) | Won 1-0 |
| Sheffield Wednesday (A) | Won 2-1 |
| Preston (H) | Won 2-1 |
| Oxford (A) | Won 3-2 |
| Stoke (H) | Won 3-2 |
That had prompted a passionate response from Lampard reminiscent of scenes in charge of Derby and Everton, although Michael Dawson felt his side may have been lucky not to see Haji Wright flagged offside when the cross had initially gone in.
Speaking about that winner for Coventry on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, the former Tottenham and England centre-back said (2:31pm): “The response from Coventry when it came back to 2-2, put the ball in the box, there was a touch of offside… but Bobby Thomas, great touch onto his left foot, and he just let’s rip.
“Viktor Johansson on the Stoke goal, down to his left, has no chance, and the reaction from Frank Lampard… incredible, the scenes [and] emotions there.
“To be in the play-offs [places] and the run they’ve been on, and everything that’s gone against them in this game, they should have had a penalty at 2-0 up, they should have had a red card, in my opinion, for Stoke, and that shows all the emotion. It’s great. Football’s fantastic when you’re on the right end of a result.”
Giving his verdict on that offside call, ex-Premier League referee Mike Dean then added: “Yeah I think as the ball’s gone into the middle I think [Wright] just doesn’t get back in time, he’s probably half a body just offside.
“The assistant referee’s got a great view, he’s seen the Coventry player and the players are opposite the Coventry player, so for me I think it’s offside by half a body.”
Coventry City celebrations vs Stoke City not surprising
Football Insider Verdict
It is worth noting that the Sky Blues were just outside the Championship relegation zone when Lampard took charge of the club.
As a result, everyone connected with Coventry will be loving the run they are now on, and a last minute winner to keep that going is always going to mean so much to all concerned.
The fact that came after the frustration of being denied a penalty and the subsequent Stoke comeback, while up against an iconic former manager in Robins, will all have added to how meanigful this was.
For Lampard himself, this was a job where it felt like he was under pressure after below par spells in charge of Everton and Chelsea.
So the fact he is now delivering with Coventry to seemingly reignite his managerial career and show he can be a success in the dugout is going to matter a huge amount to him too.
With that in mind, it makes sense that he too would celebrating a winner such as this with such passion.