Frank Lampard frustrated as Coventry’s away day blues continue at Norwich

Coventry manager Frank Lampard rued “another disappointing away result” as Norwich came from behind to beat the league leaders 2-1 at Carrow Road.

The Sky Blues were on course to record a first Sky Bet Championship away win in six matches when Romain Esse fired them into a 38th-minute lead after Victor Torp’s shot had been blocked.

But Norwich came flying out of the blocks in the second half and were level inside 35 seconds, with Anis Ben Slimane latching onto Ali Ahmed’s slide-rule pass to slip the ball past Carl Rushworth.

Ahmed then scored his second goal since his recent move from MLS outfit Vancouver Whitecaps after converting Papa Diallo’s cross in the 67th minute following an error from Liam Kitching to secured a third straight win for the Canaries.

“No disrespect to Norwich, who are on a good run, but we gave them their two goals,” said Lampard.

“For the first one you expect your players to be switched on at the start of the second half and that wasn’t the case, and then we allow them to score a second.

“I thought it was a typical Championship match and we never owned it. We certainly weren’t at our best, but got our goal in the first half and then we gift them a way back into it.

“It’s disappointing, but it’s done now and we have to make sure we are ready for the next one and focus on that.

“It’s another disappointing away result and although there are different stories in all the games, overall we have not being playing well enough. But that’s the nature of this league and now it’s about trying to bounce back in the next one.”

Norwich manager Philippe Clement was delighted with the win against a club he played for in the late 1990s.

“I am very proud of the players because we were up against a very good team with a top manager who play good football and are top of the league, ” the Belgian said.

“It was a huge challenge for my team, but they grasped it with both hands and did brilliantly to win the game.

“If someone had suggested this result and performance three months ago, they would probably have been laughed at. It was not a lucky win, it was well deserved.

“It was an excellent performance and we need it to continue to get this club where we want it to be. The players deserve to enjoy this, but it will be back to work tomorrow.”