Manager Frank Lampard has hailed this afternoon’s dramatic 4-3 victory over second-placed Norwich City as ‘the most incredible’ in his managerial career so far.
After falling two goals behind on the half hour mark, the Rams managed to get level before the break courtesy of stikes from Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount.
The Rams dominated the second half but were hit on the break with 10 minutes remaining as Teemu Pukki scored to put the hosts 3-2 ahead.
However, straight after the floodlights on one side of the stadium failed and the game had to be halted for around 15 minutes.
That allowed Lampard to address his side and tweak a few bits before the game eventually restarted.
The Rams were on level terms again minutes later as Florian Jozefzoon scored his first goal since the start of September to make it 3-3.
Then, with time running out, Jack Marriott coolly slotted over the goalkeeper to net the winner.
Summing up how he felt after the game, Lampard told RamsTV: “This is the most incredible afternoon in my short managerial career. I thought Reading was something at the start of the season but that tops it.
“Maybe not the anxious bit of injury time at the end because that was tough to take, but the feeling now of pride in the players and how they turned that game around.
“They were outstanding, the fans were outstanding, the players were outstanding and it’s a special afternoon for us.
“It’s not easy at 2-0. I’ve been there and I know that if it goes three then it’s probably game over but the players need to have that belief. You could see the change in our players at that point and they were fantastic from that moment on.
“In the second half they have got good movement and really good players but our desire to defend was special. They didn’t deserve that third goal I feel and it’s difficult to take a break and perform like they did for nine or 10 minutes, it was outstanding.
“Pride is the main emotion. Those games are tough. We are playing one of the best, if not the best, in the division. Norwich and Leeds are top for a reason.
“They hammered us for 30 minutes, we were off our game. They were playing some really good stuff but our goal changes it.
“It shows the players what can happen when they’re urgent, when they had desire and it showed them what they can do. We need to make this count now and we need to kick on. We need to carry this on now.”
There were many elements in the game which the Rams had to deal with; falling behind twice and floodlight failure, but Lampard admitted the break came at a good time for his side.
“I’m sure they will agree from Norwich’s point of view because we had a chance to go inside, get freshness back in the legs, reshuffle to the way we were playing and the formation,” Lampard commented.
“It was good to get David Nugent on the pitch who was pivotal in both goals and he led with his desire in the final nine minutes he was on and it made a difference for us. That’s not for me to take credit for, that’s for the players because they went out and did it.”
The winning goal from Marriott was his ninth in a Derby County shirt and the manager heaped praise on his prolific striker.
Lampard said: “I admire the finish because his desire to get there, the speed, the balance and the quality and composure of the finish was top class. I wanted to know how long was left because I know Norwich score a lot of late goals.
“I had a feeling the fourth official would tell me there is a long time, even though we only went out for nine, he added five, strangely and Norwich were pushing. Sometimes you make your own luck and we deserved that one bouncing off the bar in the end.”
The manager was particularly pleased with how his players responded following the 3-1 Boxing Day defeat against Sheffield United.
“Football is all about responding,” Lampard said. “No team can have it their own way all of the time. You will lose games, you will go to places that are tough, you will lose at Sheffield United but you have to pick yourself up.
“We had a three-day chance to do that and that’s the happiest bit about today. We got knocked down the other day and we got back up today and performed with a real character that is going to be fundamental in us getting to where we want to be because this league is tough.
“I don’t think we are the favourites to be in the top six. There are teams below us who have spent and established, there is a transition about us but today is about working the way that we can do and put everything into it then we have a chance.”
