Either Frank Lampard has a death wish, or Roy Keane has finally tamed.
Neither of those seem particularly likely, but during Derby’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, a clip surfaced appearing to show Lampard telling Keane to ‘get some f****** balls’.
The Chelsea and Manchester United icons enjoyed many ferocious battles in the centre of midfield during their playing careers, and they went head-to-head again on Monday night, with Lampard in charge of the Rams and Keane assisting Martin O’Neill at Forest.
Keane, famous for taking absolutely no nonsense, was totally unmoved by whatever Lampard shouted across the touchline, which raises doubts as to whether the pair actually clashed or the clip is just a happy accident.
However, keen lip-reading fans on social media are convinced they know exactly what happened. Make your own mind up:
Forest moved to within a point of seventh-place Derby after emerging victorious from the feisty affair at the City Ground.
Yohan Benalouane scrambled home an early effort which was enough to not only secure bragging rights over the Rams, as well as the Brian Clough Trophy, but also boost their play-off hopes.
Forest enjoyed a blistering opening, taking the lead after barely 70 seconds. Joe Lolley’s inswinging free-kick was headed up into the air by defender Jayden Bogle and in the ensuing panic, Daryl Murphy headed the ball across to the far post where it was bundled in by Benalouane.
It was a second consecutive 1-0 defeat for the Rams, who have lost momentum in their race for one of the Championship play-off spots.
Lampard’s men are now two points adrift of Bristol City in sixth, and the Robins have a game in hand.