Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said there was nothing emotional about Frank Lampard’s goal against the Blues, and insisted the “love story” finished when the midfielder joined Manchester City.
The 36-year-old former England international, who left Chelsea in the summer, came off the bench to equalise in the 1-1 draw at Etihad Stadium.
“Frank Lampard is a Man City player,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.
“When he decided to go to a direct competitor then love stories are over.”
The Portuguese coach added: “I don’t believe in stories of passion and heart, maybe I am too pragmatic in football. He did his job as a professional.”
Lampard’s goal came on his home debut for City, having joined the club on loan from Major League Soccer side New York City.
It cancelled out Andre Schurrle’s opener for Chelsea, which had come minutes after the hosts had Pablo Zabaleta sent off for a second bookable offence after fouling Diego Costa.
The equaliser denied Chelsea the chance to move five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
“I feel that when a player leaves another club and plays for a direct opponent, he is not going there for a holiday, he is going there to try and beat his club - the one everyone considers the club of his heart, but not any more,” Mourinho told BBC Sport.
“Maybe again (Chelsea will be in his heart) when he leaves City, but while at City he wants to beat Chelsea. That is the nature of football.”
Lampard was applauded by both Manchester City and Chelsea fans when he came on with 12 minutes remaining.
“The reception I got when I came on was amazing, I can’t speak highly enough of the fans,” he said.
“I came here to do a job and it was a special and weird day. It was a difficult day for me at the end because what do you do? You’re caught in the middle.
“What was a win for me today? Maybe a draw and keeping the Premier League close and a reception from both sets of fans that I won’t forget.”
But Lampard looked almost pained when the ball hit the back of the net and he stood still while his new sky blue team mates mobbed him.
“It’s a really difficult one,” he told Sky Sports, adding he was glad the day was over. “I’d be unprofessional if I came on and didn’t do my job so I’m mixed with it.”
One of the most remarkable sights after a match of high quality and intensity between two sides whose battle for Premier League supremacy is likely to go down to the wire, was that of opposition fans applauding the man who had just scored against their team.
Chelsea supporters kept up their “super Frankie” chants from the moment he stepped on pitch until he disappeared down the tunnel, his face contorted with emotion.
“The Chelsea fans were singing my name and it was an emotional day. It’s not how I expected to say goodbye to the Chelsea fans. I woke up this morning and didn’t know what I wanted from today so I’m glad it’s out of the way,” he said.
