LAMPARD: ‘IT’S A RED CARD! WE WERE CHEATED!’ Frank Fumes After Ipswich’s BRUTAL Tackle Goes UNPUNISHED! (The Ref Made a CATASTROPHIC Mistake!)

Frank Lampard was left furious after Coventry City’s 3-0 defeat to Ipswich Town, insisting goalscorer George Hirst should have been sent off long before finding the net.

Ipswich ran out convincing winners at Portman Road thanks to strikes from Sindre Walle Egeli, Hirst, and late substitute Ivan Azon. But Lampard felt the match turned on a baffling refereeing decision while the game was still level.

With the score at 0-0, Hirst – already on a yellow card – was flagged offside. Despite the whistle blowing, the Ipswich striker still took on the shot and fired wide. Referee Paul Tierney had already booked Coventry’s Josh Eccles for the same offence earlier in the half, yet opted against issuing Hirst a second yellow.

Lampard was visibly stunned on the touchline and felt the inconsistency proved costly.

“There’s no explanation. It’s wrong – absolutely clear,” he said. “Josh does it and gets a yellow. I don’t like the rule but I understand it. Hirst hears the whistle, stops, then shoots anyway – exactly the same situation. It should have been a red card, and then he goes on to score their second. They play with 11 men when they should’ve had 10.”

Despite the frustration, Lampard urged his squad not to lose belief. Coventry remain top of the Championship, though their lead has now been cut to seven points after suffering only their second league defeat of the season.

Lampard insisted the performance did not warrant such a heavy scoreline.

“You could feel our control in the first half,” he said. “We were organised, aggressive, winning battles. Their first goal came from a messy moment and the players kept going. I hate losing, especially 3-0, but I’m proud of how we approached it. Circumstances went against us – the reaction now is what matters.”

Ipswich struck just before the break, with Walle Egeli bending a low effort into the bottom corner. Hirst then doubled the advantage on the hour mark, running onto Marcelino Núñez’s precise pass before finishing coolly past Carl Rushworth. Deep into stoppage time, Azon punished Coventry’s high line to complete the scoring.

Coventry will look to respond when they travel to Preston North End on Tuesday, December 9, for a 7:45pm kick-off at Deepdale.