Frank Lampard thanked Chelsea fans for the reception he received on his return to Chelsea.
He said: “It was exciting for me. (I was) nervous and excited. It is home. Not my current home, but my home for such a long time.
“My overriding feeling is thanks to the Chelsea fans and the Derby fans and pride at the team.”
Lampard felt proud, honoured and aggrieved after his Derby side were beaten 3-2 at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea benefited from two Rams own goals, only for the Championship visitors to equalise on each occasion before Cesc Fabregas’ 41st-minute strike proved decisive.
It was in the build up to Fabregas’ first of the season that Derby felt Tom Lawrence was fouled by Davide Zappacosta, only for the Italian to take a quick throw-in and referee Jon Moss to dismiss protests.
Lampard said: “The third goal was a foul. The whole stadium saw that. I turned round thinking we’d got the foul, then looked back and they were in our box.
“VAR should clear up the ones that go slightly wrong. It didn’t tonight.”
Lampard added: “I’m proud of them. It doesn’t feel like a defeat, but it’s a benchmark for how we want to play from now on in.”