Frank Lampard expressed discontent over George Hirst’s presence on the field when he netted Ipswich Town’s second goal against Coventry City, leading the Sky Blues to their second Championship defeat of the season.
Despite a commendable performance from his team, particularly in the first half where they missed three clear goal-scoring opportunities, Lampard was perturbed by a critical decision made by referee Paul Tierney during the match at Portman Road.
In a contentious moment, Tierney cautioned Josh Eccles in the first half for attempting to shoot on goal after he had already whistled for a foul just outside the box. However, Town striker Hirst replicated the same action at the opposite end of the pitch without receiving a second yellow card, despite already being booked earlier in the game for a challenge on Bobby Thomas.
Coventry found themselves trailing 1-0 at halftime following goals from Sindre Walle Egeli and Hirst, with Ivan Azon sealing a 3-0 victory for the hosts in stoppage time.
Lampard emphasized that Hirst should have been penalized for his actions, pointing out the inconsistency in disciplinary decisions in reference to Eccles’ booking for a similar offense earlier in the game.
Reflecting on the missed opportunities in the first half, where Eccles and Ephron Mason-Clark were denied by Ipswich keeper Christian Walton, and Kaine Kesler-Hayden narrowly missing a header, Lampard praised his team for their strong display against formidable opposition.
He lauded Coventry’s dominance in the game, particularly their ball-winning abilities, confidence in possession, and well-executed pressing tactics, which created unease for Ipswich and resonated positively with the fans in the stadium.
Despite facing setbacks due to scrappy goals conceded, Lampard highlighted the team’s resilience and competitive spirit, emphasizing the positive aspects of their performance despite the disappointing result.
In conclusion, Lampard expressed satisfaction with his team’s approach and competitive nature, acknowledging that it was simply not their day due to various factors influencing the match’s outcome.
