Frank Lampard enjoys ‘nice evening’ as Coventry edge Luton in Carabao Cup

Coventry manager Frank Lampard admitted he enjoyed a “nice evening” as his side saw off League One Luton with a narrow 1-0 victory in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

Striker Ellis Simms scored the winner on his 100th appearance after he was left on the bench in a goalless draw against Hull on the opening day.

Lampard said: “We managed the squad tonight, we needed to make changes in a busy first week.

“Certain players needed minutes and topped them up and so in that way it was a bit of an exercise for us and we wanted to win the game as well so it was a nice evening.

“Ellis can give us a lot as well in terms of hold up, running into channels, stretching defences and pushing them back. And then obviously getting in and around the box.

“I know he’s disappointed not to have scored a hat-trick, and that’s fair enough. I would much rather that than the game pass by without those chances, so good for him.”

Luton boss Matt Bloomfield spoke of his disappointment as his recently-relegated Hatters lost out to their Championship opposition.

He said: “I’m bitterly disappointed for the boys that we’ve come away losing the game because I thought we showed some really promising moments.

“I thought we played some real good football and we looked threatening, we just lacked that last little bit in the final third of the pitch.

“I feel like I learned a lot tonight.”