Lampard’s saving draw at Coventry in his first game in charge

Frank Lampard’s first game as Coventry manager ended in a 2-2 draw, with Victor Thorpe’s late penalty saving the former England star from a debut defeat to Cardiff on Saturday.

Lampard takes over Championship side Coventry on a two-and-a-half-year deal after his long-serving predecessor Mark Robins was unexpectedly sacked on November 7.

The 46-year-old, who was hired by the Sky Blues on Thursday, is back in charge for the first time since his second spell as Chelsea boss ended in May 2023.

Lampard is hoping to rebuild his reputation as a manager after his first spell at Chelsea ended with his sacking in January 2021.

The former Chelsea midfielder – the club’s record signing – returned to the Premier League a year later as Everton manager.

He saved Everton from relegation in the 2022 season but was sacked less than 12 months later after poor performances the following season.

Lampard returned to Chelsea as caretaker manager but won just once in 11 games and was allowed to leave at the end of the 2022/23 season.

Returning to the Championship after starting his coaching career with a season in charge of Derby in 2018/19, Lampard watched Coventry make a nightmare start when Yaku Meite headed home Cardiff in the fourth minute.

Both teams were looking to end a run of four games without a win and Efron Mason-Clark quickly equalized for Coventry.

Alex Robertson’s superb strike just after the break looked set to seal the three points for Cardiff until Thorpe converted a penalty in the 89th minute.

Coventry moved three points clear of the relegation zone, with Cardiff just one point behind.

– Leeds is shocked –

Lampard’s former England teammate Wayne Rooney is under increasing pressure at Plymouth after their poor run of form hit a new low following a 4-0 defeat to Bristol City.

Leeds missed the chance to return to the top of the table with a 1-0 defeat at Blackburn.

Todd Cantwell’s 22nd-minute penalty proved enough to seal Blackburn’s third win in a row as a determined defensive effort frustrated Daniel Farke’s visitors.

Burnley moved ahead of Leeds into second place as the Clarets beat Stoke 2-0 at the Bet365 Stadium to make it four wins in a row thanks to an opener from Jay Rodriguez and a 78th-minute penalty from Josh Brownhill.

Managerless Hull are stuck in the relegation zone after their first game since Tim Walter’s midweek sacking ended in a 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough.

Late goals from Emiliano Marcondes and Borja Sainz allowed Norwich to build on their midweek win over Plymouth with a 4-2 victory over Luton at Carrow Road.

West Brom’s Karlan Grant saw his early effort thwarted by Emil Riis’ equalizer for Preston in a 1-1 draw with Deepdale.

Bottom club Portsmouth surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Swansea in south Wales.

Tyler Goodram’s late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw against Millwall after Japhet Tanganga’s 45th-minute header had netted the Lions.

Watford were forced to settle for a goalless draw against second-place QPR at Vicarage Road.

smg/ea