Frank Lampard punched opponent in brutal derby that received ‘hotter’ with each foul
Frank Lampard was once at the centre of a derby day that culminated with punches being thrown.
Back on this day (September 16) in 2001, Lampard was part of a Chelsea side that travelled to White Hart Lane and produced one of the most hotly contested derbies in recent memory. Marcel Desailly’s header provided a stoppage time winner, but it almost a footnote in the fierce encounter that ended in chaos.
Challenges had been flying in all afternoon as it was raining goals. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink won a controversial spot-kick to put Chelsea 2-1 ahead in the 80th minute – with Spurs players furious, accusing the Dutchman of diving to win the penalty.
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However, the Lilywhites were able to battle back into the game as Teddy Sheringham’s second equaliser of the day in the 90th minute fired them level. And for a brief moment, home fans thought they might take something from the game.
It was soon advantage Spurs as Lampard unleashed a right hook in the direction of Chris Perry, retaliating to the defender’s angry shirt-pulling, following accusations that Hasselbaink had been looking for another penalty.
Do you remember Frank Lampard being sent off for punching Chris Perry? Let us know in the comments section below
(Image: PA)
(Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri fumed after the game, telling reporters: “Graeme [Le Saux] received a punch in the face. He was angry because of the punch, although I didn’t see who did it. All I saw with the penalty was Jimbo on the floor. If it wasn’t a penalty, I will speak with him because I don’t want to win like that.
‘When Perry pushed Lampard, the referee only saw Lampard’s reaction. How can he be sent off when Perry didn’t get even a yellow card? I don’t know why. I spoke with Lampard. He’s a young player. I hope in the future the boy will be calm.”
Perry, though, insisted: “I remonstrated with him because I thought he’d gone down too easily. He swung a punch and hit me in the chest.”
(Image: Getty Images)
To add to Lampard’s woes, he was being watched by his father Frank Senior. There was enough time on the clock for the 10 men of Chelsea to nick a winner, as Desailly nodded home at the back post.
Le Saux had to be restrained from continuing an argument with Tottenham’s chief agitator Mauricio Taricco once victory was secured., before Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle ushered the Argentinian defender down the tunnel.
Speaking after the clash, Hoddle also raged at some of the reckless challenges that had been delivered. He said: “Everyone gets heated up in a local derby and there were situations here that made it a bit hotter than normal. At times, though, I felt I needed somebody to hold myself back.”
