Southampton players rushed Coventry City boss Frank Lampard after their furious 1-1 Championship tie at St Mary’s on Saturday.
Southampton players were pictured close behind Frank Lampard after his Coventry City team drew on the south coast.
Tempers flared after the match, when the former Premier League midfielder was seen thanking fans on the pitch. Lampard, who has led Coventry to the Championship summit following a strong start to the season, was then caught up in conversation with Leo Scienza.
His method of speaking to the Southampton player prompted some of his colleagues to rush over, resulting in a pitch-side altercation involving players and coaches. The incident ended the two teams’ 1-1 draw at St Mary’s.
The Sky Blues seized the lead thanks to Ephron Mason-Clark, but Jay Dasilva’s dismissal soon after halftime made it a difficult second half for the visitors.
Southampton responded with a goal just nine minutes later, as Nathan Wood tied the score, giving the Saints a glimmer of hope for a complete three points.
However, they were unable to break through Coventry’s defence late in the game, leaving both teams with only one point each.
This irritation was clear in the emotions of both teams when Lampard’s joy at securing a point provoked conflicts.
The two squads eventually dispersed, with the Coventry manager heading straight to celebrate with his travelling supporters, according to the Mirror.
Lampard told Sky Sports about the incident, saying, “It’s fine; I understand when a player defends the situation in front of their own fans.”
“But we have this modern-day situation where I believe supporters can say anything to you for the last ten minutes on the field, and you are not permitted to come onto the pitch while your emotions are high. That’s how I am, heart on sleeve; I feel a little better now.
“I apologize for my language. Perhaps they will apologise for their language. I’m well and thoroughly over that one; I got a little heated. I think sometimes you take those 99 minutes and you’re holding on and seeing the guys do what they do, I feel it, we’ve lived it with them.
“I went on the pitch, that was my prerogative, I can look back and reflect on it but as I say, fans can say one thing, but we’re the ones in the arena fighting for something and we got a point.”
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