FRANK Lampard admits Coventry City had to overcome some first-half tension to beat Leicester City in the M69 derby and retain a six-point lead at the top of the table.
The Sky Blues battled to a 2-1 victory against the Foxes as Haji Wright’s late goal earned the Sky Blues the derby day bragging rights at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
That came after Ellis Simms cancelled out Jordan James’ opener although the visitors spurned other chances in the first period before the Sky Blues staged a second-half comeback.
And Lampard praised the response of his players after the break following a tense first half display.
Lampard said: “It was a tough match but a great atmosphere from start to finish.
“They gave us some problems in the first half. Their league position isn’t a reality, they’ve got players who have played in the Premier League.
“To turn the game around like we did is a great feeling for the group. We had to tactically change some bits off the ball.
“But the big thing was the feeling and overcoming the tension and feeling of what the first half was.
“It was about reiterating to the players why they are where they are at the top of the league which is because of the work we’ve done and the quality they’ve got and they really responded.”
Leicester stunned the home side on 10 minutes when Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s first time pass found James who finished past Carl Rushworth at his near post from eight-yards out.
However, Coventry equalised two minutes after half time as Simms deflected Jack Rudoni’s whipped ball into the danger area into the net to draw the home side level.
And the Sky Blues eventually completed the comeback on 85 minutes when Wright bundled home Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s ball across the face of goal from point-blank range.
The win keeps Coventry six points clear of Middlesbrough at the top of the Championship table.
And Lampard praised his side’s spirit and desire to turn the game on its head in the second half.
Lampard added: “It was about finding the bravery again to play the way we play.
“But my job would be easy if the players just went out and did everything I say and everything went great.
“Credit to the boys, they showed great spirit and desire. It’s not easy to turn games around like that and they did.
“Everybody gave everything so it’s a good feeling for the lads. We need to enjoy it but we need to stay calm.”
Coventry are next in action against Millwall on Tuesday, January 20 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the CBS Arena.
