Derby County manager, Frank Lampard, says his team proved their doubters wrong, after coming from behind to see off Leed United 4-2 at Elland Road, to book a place in the Championship play-off final where they face Aston Villa.
Leeds secured a 1-0 win at the weekend, a third victory out of three against Derby this season for Marcelo Bielsa’s men.
However, Lampard had the last laugh, with Jack Marriott’s introduction from the bench proving pivotal as the forward struck a decisive brace.
It is the first time in the history of the play-offs, that a side has reached the Championship play-off final after losing the first leg at home.
“We were 1-0 down, I said to the lads everyone had written us off. It’s 1/8 for them to go through or something, everyone says they’ve beaten us three times, but we made a little tweak, and it worked brilliantly but you need bravery on the ball and the lads showed it.
“The work rate through the year, players coming in, we’re not there yet, I watched Villa do this [celebrate reaching the final], but the players deserve it. The performance tonight, we were the better team over two legs, we should have had a penalty, but it was a brilliant performance from the lads,” Lampard told Sky Sports.
Lampard has now turned his attention to their Wembley date with Villa.
“There’s work to do, this isn’t the end.
“We’re underdogs again and we’ll have a tough game against a brilliant Villa team, but we’re there,” he added.
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