3/1 To Win
Manager Frank Lampard heaped praise on his Derby County players and thanked the travelling supporters following the 5-3 penalty shoot-out win against Southampton in their FA Cup Third Round replay on Wednesday night.
It was another memorable night for the Rams as they defeated Premier League opposition and booked their place in the Fourth Round to face Sky Bet League One side Accrington Stanley.
Defender Richard Keogh scored the decisive penalty after Derby had once again fought back from 2-0 down to draw level at 2-2 against the Saints - and the manager was quick to praise his players' endeavour.
“It feels good for the players and it feels good for the fans,” Lampard told RamsTV.
“Big numbers travelled down on a Wednesday night when the game is on TV, so let’s thank them for that first of all.
“To come and support your team when you probably have work in the morning and you are not going to get home until around 3am, and you have travelled to get down here, that’s something special.
“That’s what football is all about, that’s what Derby County is all about. We appreciate it greatly, I certainly do and I know the players do. A huge thank you goes out to them and I’m pleased we could give them the spectacle that we did.
“But what great character, what a great performance from our lads. We didn’t deserve to be losing 2-0, we controlled the first-half. The VAR to rule out Craig Bryson's goal was so minimal, the distances went against us but the lads kept going and showed character and quality and deserved to win.
“We have to be a team of character. I’ve got a really good dressing room in there, the lads are delighted and they deserve to be.
“They put everything in and every one of them that came on the pitch, people that don’t even come on, we are a group and groups must fight until the end and turn games and we did it.”
The Rams had already tasted penalty shoot-out victory this season, winning against Manchester United back in September in the Carabao Cup.
On that night, they netted eight perfect penalties, and tonight, against Southampton, they scored all five.
Some people describe penalties as a lottery, however, the manager believes there is a lot of skill to taking a spot kick.
“As much as it is technique, and they all showed good technique, it’s character to be able to stand up when everyone is watching in that pressure moment,” Lampard said.
“I’ve been there, it’s not nice. They all stood up well.
“Richard Keogh got the winner. He is the leader of this dressing room, he loves this club, the fans love him and they should do because he gives everything to this place. He is so into it and he deserved the moment more than anyone.”
