FRANK Lampard insists he ‘loved’ Coventry City’s performance against Stoke City even before Jack Rudoni scored a late winner for the Sky Blues.
Rudoni sealed a 2-1 victory for Coventry four minutes into injury time at the Coventry Building Society Arena in a game the Sky Blues dominated from start to finish.
An early goal from Haji Wright put the home side ahead only for Ben Gibson to draw the visitors level at the end of the first period.
However, Rudoni’s late goal sent the Sky Blues eight points clear at the top of the Championship table as Stoke boss Mark Robins left his old stomping ground empty handed.
And Lampard admits the nature of Coventry’s late winner made for a special occasion as the Sky Blues secured a fourth successive league win.
Lampard said: “It’s what we do the job for. You have to enjoy the moments when they come.
“I enjoyed it because I loved our performance. Our performance was so good throughout the game.
“It would have been a travesty if we hadn’t got what we deserved. There was real quality in our play and good pressure off the ball.
“We gave them nothing other than the goal. When you have that feeling and think it’s one of those days, it flips because of the character of the boys.
“It makes it a special day. It’s only three points, it’s only another win.
“We’ve had four wins [in a row] now and it’s through the hard work, organisation and dedication of the lads.”
Lampard’s side broke the deadlock on 12 minutes when Wright headed in Jay Dasilva’s cross from the left at the back post from four-yards out.
However, Stoke equalised deep into first-half stoppage time as Gibson flicked on Sorba Thomas’s corner at the near post with Bobby Thomas unable to prevent the ball from crossing the line.
Coventry snatched the points four minutes into injury time after Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin failed to properly clear Brandon Thomas-Asante’s hopeful ball forward with Ellis Simms in hot pursuit.
The loose ball broke kindly into the path of Rudoni who guided a shot into the net from 25-yards from out despite the best efforts of Gibson who attempted to block the shot.
And Lampard praised the impact of his substitutes as both Simms and Thomas-Asante played a big part in Coventry’s winner.
Lampard added: “The value of subs, Ellis coming on, he’s been brilliant in the last few weeks.
“Even though he’s not starting, he’s coming on every week. He had his period of starting and he’ll have more of that this season.
“I’m relying on him and Haji in that number nine [role]. I’m delighted for him to have that assist as such.
“All the boys that come on, they’re all pushing now and we know we’ve got options to come on [from the bench].”
Coventry are next in action against Bristol City on Saturday, March 7 with kick-off at 3pm at Ashton Gate.
