Frank Lampard insists that a change to Derby County's system, along with the bravery to get on the ball, helped his players to a famous 4-2 win at Leeds United tonight, meaning a 4-3 aggregate win in their Championship playoff semi-final tie.
Derby enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges at Elland Road, but were left reeling when the Whites went ahead in the 24th minute through Stuart Dallas.
The Northern Ireland international was on hand to take advantage of the ball coming back off the upright following a ball in from Kalvin Phillips and helped it into the back of the net from close range.
Leeds then almost went 2-0 up when Mateusz Klich hit a long range effort, which took a deflection and hit the bar.
Derby were pegged back and in trouble, but got a break just before half time when Liam Cooper and Kiko Casilla had a mix-up and allowed Jack Marriott to score into an open goal.
And the visitors then came racing out of the blocks in the second half, scoring after just seconds when Mason Mount was fed by Harry Wilson and hit a shot which rippled the back of the net.
Then in the 57th minute, Cooper pulled Mason Bennett's shirt in the box, meaning a penalty for Derby, which Wilson converted, making it 3-2 on aggregate.
It was end to end stuff and Leeds hit back just five minutes later when Dallas took advantage of good play from Klich to hit a right-footed shot into the bottom right-hand corner of the net, making it 3-3 on aggregate.
But Leeds suffered a blow with 12 minutes left when Gaetano Berardi lunged at Bradley Johnson, picking up his second yellow card and being sent off.
Derby hit the woodwork with five minutes left through Wilson, while they then did take the lead, 4-3 on aggregate and 4-2 on the night when Marriott flicked the ball over an onrushing Casilla.
The visitors also found themselves reduced to ten men in the 92nd minute when Scott Malone got a second yellow card for fouling Pablo Hernandez on the edge of the box; Izzy Brown put the resulting free-kick over the bar.
And the clock ticked down for Leeds, who could not find another goal, meaning Derby are heading to Wembley to meet Aston Villa in the playoff final.
Derby boss Lampard was quick to salute the win and revealed that he made a change to the Rams' system, even though it still needed his players to be brave to pull off the victory.
"I said to the lads that everyone had written us off", Lampard said on Sky Sports after the game.
"We changed the system and made a little tweak, and it worked brilliantly, but we needed the lads to show bravery on the ball and they did.
"The goal before half-time gave the players belief and I am so delighted for Jack Marriott.
"I felt it was his night but I didn't know he'd do that.
"We have to enjoy the moment but now prepare for Aston Villa, but we'll be underdogs again", the Derby boss added.
