Frank Lampard slams John Mousinho for 'unnecessary' behaviour after heated touchline row with Portsmouth boss during Coventry's dramatic win at Fratton Park

The two managers were spotted exchanging words and having to be separated in a heated touchline row during Coventry's victory over Portsmouth. Mousinho was unhappy at the failure to award a penalty for his side with the score still at 0-0 after Jay Dasilva appeared to block Yang Min-hyeok's cross with his arm. However, referee Gavin Ward did not point to the spot and the game continued. Coventry then went on to win thanks to two goals from Brandon Thomas-Asante, while Makenzie Kirk pulled one back deep into stoppage for the hosts. The penalty call sparked a confrontation between Lampard and Mousinho, which lasted for several minutes and did not go down well with the Coventry boss.

Lampard shared his take on the incident after the game, telling reporters: "I haven't seen it again. I didn't think it was one at the time. I think it is a stadium where the crowd can put pressure on the referee and I don't think added pressure on the fourth official was necessary."

Mousinho also offered up an explanation and said he had no problem with Lampard: "It looks a clear penalty to me. The ball strikes his arm way outside of the body. I spoke to the referee and he wasn't looking at the incident - he was looking at the box - but I still expect someone from the officiating team to pick it up. I was trying to speak to the fourth official about it but I couldn't do it. But there is no needle with Lampard. I just spoke to him there and my main problem is with the officiating team for not dealing with it differently. It is a disappointing result, but I think it was a fair result overall. We got ourselves back into the game too little, too late."

Lampard may not have been happy with Mousinho, but was thrilled to see his side pick up a fifth straight win in the Championship. The Sky Blues now lead the way and sit four points clear of Middlesbrough, although Rob Edwards' side do have a game in hand. Thomas-Asante scored both goals for Coventry, to take his tally to eight for the season, but Lampard warned his side after the match they can't afford to relax despite their great start to the new campaign.

"I thought we played well. To come here and look as powerful and dangerous in front of goal, and we could have scored one or two more, was good," he said. "People will get excited, and that ramps up when you win games but our job is to stay on it and stay diligent. We are happy with the start to the season with the performances and results, but we know what this league does if you relax."

There was also praise for Thomas-Asante after his brace, as Lampard added: "From day one of pre-season, he has been amazing. He's been fit, hungry and fresh. For us as staff to have someone who moves from left side to right side to number 10 to number nine, gives us everything. Then you add his talent and his confidence at the moment and he deserves a lot of credit. All he needs to do now is stay humble and keep doing it. We need the talent he is showing at the moment to continue."

Lampard is currently rebuilding his managerial reputation at Coventry. The Sky Blues were 17th, and just two points above the drop zone, when he took over, but are now flying high in the Championship and look set to challenge for promotion to the Premier League. There is still a long way to go, of course, but Coventry's next three fixtures are against teams in the bottom half of the table, meaning Lampard will be confident his team can maintain their current hot streak.