Manager Frank Lampard hailed the whole club after Derby County beat Leeds United 4-3 on aggregate to secure their place in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final.


The Rams have set up a clash against Dean Smith’s Aston Villa following the dramatic win at Elland Road, ending 4-3 on aggregate.

A brace from Jack Marriott and goals from Mason Mount and top goalscorer Harry Wilson secured the vital win which sees them face the Villans at the home of English football later this month.

“The lads were incredible,” Lampard told RamsTV. “Everyone on the pitch, the substitutes, the squad, the players who were injured to turn up and support the lads, the fans, it’s a special night.

“We have worked so hard through the season, it’s been backs against the wall at times, nobody fancied us.

“Nobody fancied us to get a result here tonight and the lads have pulled it off. There is work to do but we need to get our heads down ready for Wembley now.

“We are playing against a top team. We will be underdogs again because they have really good players and have beaten us twice in the league. It’s the same story as this, but we have to give everything.”


Planning for the Final starts now, however, the manager was keen to stress everyone should just enjoy the moment.

“I’m superstitious and didn’t like to get into the planning before the game,” he said. “We were 1-0 down coming into this game but they will need rest so it’s how we manage that and the training.

“We will keep working hard because we need to be at that level and that’s when you are on the edge. We will work and train hard and hopefully be ready for Monday week.

“It’s easy to say we shouldn’t celebrate because there is another game but we need that. When they perform like that, and when fans travel here into this hostile atmosphere, then we deserve our moment. Thank you to the fans because we can’t do it without you.”