In private, Frank Lampard would have likely rejoiced after Coventry scored a last-minute equaliser to draw 2-2 at home to Cardiff in his first match in charge.
But he appeared to be the calmest person in the CBS Arena when Victor Torp tucked away his penalty to ensure a point was rescued.
The former Chelsea and Everton boss is taking over from a fan favourite in Mark Robins and would have been desperate to avoid starting his reign on a sour note.
It appeared to be edging that way after goals from Yakou Meite and Alex Robertson either side of Ephron Mason-Clark’s early effort had the visitors moments away from claiming all three points.
But a handball inside the Cardiff penalty area allowed Torp to rescue a draw and he duly obliged, sending the home fans into raptures, but Lampard barely raised a smile as he walked back to the dugout.
The former England international admitted afterwards that he was not entirely enthused by his side’s performance, insisting that he has higher ambitions than what was on show against Cardiff – visible by his non-celebration.
“A mixture of feelings, I guess,” Lampard said in his post-match press conference. “Some good and some less so in terms of the performance. I was pleased to get the point considering the circumstances of being 2-1 down, so there were good reactions and good character, some good impacts from certain subs.
“There was some good play in the first half that I liked, moving the ball and playing through. We have had two days and it’s hard to make an impact with that but I saw some things that probably relate to why we are where we are, especially early in the second half when we conceded and our reaction took a while so I had to impact it with subs.
“But listen, there are basics in football that have to be there, especially in the Championship because of the nature of it; first balls, second balls, fight and scrap and reactions, being a bit tougher. I think that’s something as a group that we can be.”
Coventry City's last-minute equaliser had Frank Lampard like 😶
Watch @EFL Highlights on ITV4 at 9pm tonight 📺 pic.twitter.com/pOuSMCi12k
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 30, 2024
One of the bold decisions Lampard made with his first team selection was to start Ephron-Clark, who had played a bit-part role previously under Robins, with the call vindicated after eight minutes with the first goal under their new head coach.
“It’s not easy settling into a division above, so he does need time but he also needs to earn the right to play minutes regularly, so I’m pleased with him,” Lampard said of the former Peterborough loanee.
“He understands more now of what we want from him in running in behind. He’s got a lot of raw talent – and we want to get to work with it really quickly.”
