Lampard gets perfect start as Derby snatch late win

Former England midfielder Frank Lampard began his managerial reign with a victory as his Derby County side came from behind to beat Reading 2-1 with a last-gasp goal in the Championship on Friday when the Football League season got underway.

Derby's Tom Lawrence headed the winner in the 94th minute after teenager Mason Mount scored on the hour with a low drive to cancel out Jon Dadi Bodvarsson's powerful header that had put the hosts in front after 53 minutes at the Madejski Stadium.

What a way to win your first game as manager! 🙌

Tom Lawrence steers a superb header into the back of the net! ⚽

Follow coverage of the @SkyBetChamp opener as Frank Lampard takes his Derby side to Reading live on Sky Sports Football: https://t.co/UPcu1f7vtd pic.twitter.com/WE7NyGqDMq

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 3, 2018

The win meant Lampard, who signed a three-year deal in May having ended his playing career with New York City, got the better of counterpart Paul Clement in the opposition dugout, having worked as a player at Chelsea with the ex-Blues coach.

Lampard will be aiming for at least a playoff spot but is under no illusions as to how tough it will be to win promotion.

FT: Reading 1-2 Derby.

Tom Lawrence scores a 94th minute winner for the visitors.

Welcome to football management, Frank Lampard 👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/o1EZXJNlpJ

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 3, 2018

The 40-year-old, who was capped 106 times by England between 1999 and 2014, won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and one Champions League crown with Chelsea but knows he has a lot to learn this season from his unfamiliar place on the bench.

It is 10 years since former English champions Derby were in the Premier League and the pressure for a return is high.

Derby came sixth last season under Gary Rowett, now in charge at Stoke City, before losing in the playoff semi-finals to Fulham, while Reading sacked the former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam in March and finished 20th under Clement.