After so many songs and cheers for him, there was still another smile to come from Frank Lampard, albeit a wryer one. The Derby County manager had argued that VAR should have ruled out Chelsea’s winning goal in their League Cup fourth-round tie for what was a foul in the build-up, only to be asked whether he could now understand the regular complaints he would have heard during his playing career that big teams always get the decisions.

“No,” he answered immediately. It was initially entirely in a deadpan way, but he couldn’t stop himself breaking into laughter.

It wasn’t the only ironic twist to the situation, mind. It was of course one of Lampard’s most famous moments – not, crucially, one of his most famous goals – that played a huge part in the path to VAR, and the general use of technology for such decisions. His shot for England against Germany in the 2010 World Cup second round would have stood had such equipment been in use at the time, and it was constantly part of the discussion until the introductions of the systems over the past few years.

Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Willy Caballero - 7 He could do very little to stop the two goals but made some amazing saves in the second half to keep Chelsea in front. Action Images via Reuters Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Davide Zappacosta - 9 He was superb on the right wing. His crosses caused so many problems for the centre backs and led to two goals. He was quick on the overlap and as good an attacking presence as the front men Getty Images Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Gary Cahill - 5 He made some elementary mistakes that a player of his experience won’t be forgiven for, they resulted in the first equaliser for Derby. Action Images via Reuters Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Andreas Christensen - 6 Was replaced by David Luiz after 65 minutes and that was his biggest impact on the game. PA Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Emerson Palmieri - 5 Panicked at the back when Derby pressed high and fast resulting in wayward passes and allowed Waghorn to get past him on a couple of occasions. AFP/Getty Images Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings N'Golo Kante - 7 The man was surely made in a laboratory, he is unflappable and commands a presence wherever he is on the pitch. Brilliantly competent if not spectacular. Action Images via Reuters Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Cesc Fabregas - 8 Scored Chelsea’s first proper goal and found his feet in the match as it went on, setting the play that resulted in his goal into motion with a glorious pass into the box. Getty Images Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Mateo Kovacic - 6 He had a relatively quiet night, made some chances, made some mistakes but probably had fun. Action Images via Reuters Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 7 Someone get him a McDonald’s because he was hungry all night. He ran his socks off trying to get a goal and was a crucial component in the second and third goals for Chelsea. PA Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Alvaro Morata - 6 Linked well with Willian to create space and chances in and around the box but when his turn came he missed out. Getty Images Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Willian - 7 Shots, shots and more shots. Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. AFP/Getty Images Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Scott Carson - 6 Conceded three goals, couldn’t save any of them. It was just one of them games. Action Images Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Jayden Bogle - 7 He should apply to the government, he was strong and stable at right back in a defence that was bullied on the left-hand side. AFP/Getty Images Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Richard Keogh - 5 He made a poor effort at clearing a relatively easy cross and gave away an own goal but gave Derby lots of attacking options in the final 10 minutes. Action Images via Reuters Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Fikayo Tomori - 4 Scored an own goal because he missed the ball with his left foot, Zappacosta had the Derby centre-backs in his back pocket. Getty Images Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Scott Malone - 5 Had a terrible time of things when defending, Chelsea attacked the left side with serious vigour and serious success. He did however contribute to the second equaliser as he combined with Lawrence and Mount to get the ball into the box. Action Images via Reuters Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Martyn Waghorn - 8 Missed a great chance to put Derby in front at 1-1 but recovered to score the second equaliser. AFP/Getty Images Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Harry Wilson - 6 Ran around the entire pitch giving it his all in attack and defence. An admirable and workmanlike quality. Action Images via Reuters Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Tom Huddlestone - 7 Made a big play in midfield winning the ball after a wayward pass from Cahill and he made him pay sending Marriott in behind the defence to score the first goal for Derby. AFP/Getty Images Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Mason Mount - 7 Played a perfectly timed and weighted ball into Waghorn for Derby’s second goal and caused problems when going forward. Getty Images Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Tom Lawrence - 6 Linked well on the left wing with Malone and Mount to set up the second goal for Derby. Action Images via Reuters Chelsea vs Derby - player ratings Jack Marriott - 8 Scored Derby’s first goal with a quality finish. AFP/Getty Images

It was perhaps no surprise then that he declared himself “a fan of VAR”, but he could still find some fault with it.

“The fourth official said it was off the pitch,” Lampard said when asked about Cesc Fabregas’ winner. “The VAR looked at it. I’ve looked at it and the ball wasn’t off the pitch, the foul wasn’t off the pitch, so it was blatantly a foul. I turned round thinking we’d got the foul, then looked back and they were in our box. VAR should clear up the ones that go slightly wrong. It didn’t tonight.”

It would have been all the more frustrating because Derby had given such a good account of themselves. Lampard was particularly proud about how they twice came from behind, given his own experience of how often sides – and not just lower-league sides – fold when they go 1-0 behind at Stamford Bridge.

He even argued they were the better team, and not without some justification.

“We competed. We certainly competed. Generally teams that go 1-0 down after five minutes lose comfortably here. We came back. And then another own goal. We came back. Then their third goal was a foul. In general play, we had the better chances in the game. Outstanding from my team. I’m proud of them. It doesn’t feel like a defeat, but it’s a benchmark for how we want to play from now on in.”

There were, again, real signs of promise in that regard. A Lampard team looks like an adventurous one, willing to take chances, but also an assertive one. They will be entertaining to watch.

Lampard admitted it was often a strange night, especially as the name of a visiting manager was so often – and so vigorously – sung from all corners of the ground right through the game.

He did make pointed mention of how he left through the “back door”, having been jettisoned by former mentor Jose Mourinho at the end of the 2013-14 season. All of this almost felt like recompense for that, a proper way to acknowledge that farewell – but as he said hello again.

Frank Lampard issues instructions from the sidelines at Stamford Bridge (Getty)

“I’ve got a job to do. I really appreciate the fans, and saying thank you at the end. That isn’t normal. I did leave out of the back door here, and that was disappointing. But I walked in the front door here and got that. I thanked the fans for their support of 13 years, and then walked down to the Derby fans, my present. We’re working hard to be successful as a club. I’m a lucky man to get it both ends.

“It was exciting for me. Nervous and excited. It is home. Not my current home, but my home for such a long time. I’ve been happy to come back and see a lot of friends. My overriding feeling is thanks to the fans of both clubs, and pride in the team.”

He now knows what it’s like from the other side of things, in more ways than one.