Frank Lampard lifts lid on Chelsea players' praise for Derby after Carabao Cup thriller

Frank Lampard revealed Chelsea’s players and members of Maurizio Sarri’s coaching staff were full of praise for his Derby County side.

Chelsea ran out 3-2 winners in an entertaining Carabao Cup fourth round clash at Stamford Bridge, but Lampard’s men were unlucky not to take the game to penalties.

All five goals were scored before half-time and the Rams’ striker David Nugent hit the post in the dying stages of the game, as Derby pushed hard for an equaliser.

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Although Chelsea made changes, it was a side that featured plenty of quality and a midfield of Cesc Fabregas, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic should have been too good for Championship opposition.

After the game, Lampard admitted he was a little bit disappointed not to earn a draw and that his former side had been full of praise for their performance.

“Talking to the Chelsea players and some of their staff after the game, they were all praising us and saying how good we were,” Lampard said after the game.

“I think we deserved a draw but I’m not upset at all. It makes me happy.

“We really contributed to the night, this is a fantastic Chelsea team and we competed. I’m so proud of my Derby County players.”

Chelsea assistant and Lampard’s former team-mate Zola was frustrated with the Blues’ defensive efforts, but did concede that much of that was down to Derby’s play.

“It was a tough game,” he said. “Derby were excellent. They created us more problems.

“Our defence wasn’t as good as other times. But most of the problems were created by them.”