Chesterfield boss Paul Cook credited his side for showing the right intent from the start after they won 3-0 at Doncaster in a chaotic Sky Bet League Two clash at the Eco-Power Stadium.
The hosts ended the game with nine men following the second-half dismissals of Luke Molyneux and Tom Anderson.
The Spireites had already laid the groundwork for their triumph with an excellent first half showing which was capped by Chey Dunkley’s diving header in the 32nd minute.
Paddy Madden netted his first Chesterfield goal from the penalty spot following an Ephraim Yeboah handball, eight minutes after Molyneux was shown a second yellow card.
Anderson was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident with Dunkley in the 85th minute, with James Berry rounding off the scoring deep into added time.
“We turned up,” Cook said. “We were the best team on the pitch today.
“The desire and effort was there from the first minute. Our intent was there from the first minute.
“It was great for the supporters, I am absolutely delighted. To take the lead was great and to see the game out with a clean sheet was pleasing.
“I am really pleased with everyone, it was a great performance. There were loads of good pluses today.
“It is a funny time to be Chesterfield manager because we are going through ups and downs and bumps and bruises.
“I said to the players that I felt last year I didn’t have to manage a lot because everything was good. We conceded too many goals but we were always going to be OK.
“I was a little bit critical of our fans last week. We are new in the league, we are not just going to go away and roll every team over and today our support was absolutely magnificent – we need that every week.
“I wanted our supporters to travel home happy and they have certainly left the stadium delighted.”
While frustrated with referee James Berry for his part in the game, Doncaster manager Grant McCann felt his own side’s shortcomings played a greater role in their defeat.
“It was very frustrating,” McCann said. “I thought we started the first five or 10 minutes on the front foot but after that we didn’t get our press right. We were a little bit safe in terms of our energy and press and getting against them.
“Then we gave a silly free-kick away which was very harsh but we didn’t defend the cross anywhere good enough. We let Dunkley bully us, brush us off the ball and head it straight into our net.
“We changed our shape at half-time and then Luke’s sending off has put us on the back foot early in the second half, when we’d felt the shape change could get us back into the game.
“But the game went away from us after that moment.”
Birmingham boss Chris Davies says the Blues should be very proud of breaking the 100-point barrier.Alex Cochrane’s winner after 75 minutes was hit from 30 yards and was perfectly-placed to find the corner and hand City a 1-0 win at Stevenage.And it takes them onto 102 points with three games remaining.“I’m very proud,” said the Birmingham boss. “Not many teams will ge...
Alex Cochrane’s superb long-range strike was enough to take League One champions Birmingham over the 100-point mark with a 1-0 win at Stevenage.The game was the perfect example of a clash of styles, Birmingham wanting to play it around, but Stevenage aiming to outwork them.Boro arguably would have been happier with their first-half showing, Jordan Roberts pulling a low shot wide of the targe...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Pedri was named La Liga's Player of the Month for April. It's the first time he's won the award Chelsea's next 5 matches Arteta : Ah, I see This Be like Pedri bro We'll never seeing anything like this again... OFFICIAL: Jamie Vardy has decided to leave Leicester City at the end of the season… Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be mo...
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has entered into another round of talks for Brazil's vacant head coaching job.WHAT HAPPENED?The CBF's desire to hire the Italian has been something of an open secret over the past few years. The master tactician has been president Ednaldo Rodrigues preferred choice for the role since Tite stepped down after the 2022 World Cup. Following the firing of Dorvival Junio...
Man City goalkeeper Ederson is reportedly in talks with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad over a move in the upcoming summer transfer window.According to Foot Mercato, the 31-year-old is growing increasingly open to a move to Saudi Arabia having fallen down the pecking order at Man City.Ederson has struggled with several injury issues this season, with back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega seemingly tak...
Adding attacking quality to Ruben Amorim's squad is one of the agendas for Man United this summer, and they could go to La Liga in order to achieve this goal.It has been a season of struggle for Man United, and because of this, the summer transfer window will be crucial for them to significant improve the first team. There are a number of positions that need to be addressed, and one of them is att...
Bayern won't block Kane's departureBayern Munich would not stand in Harry Kane's way should the striker decide to return to the Premier League in the summer, according to a journalist.Vini Jr's ' entourage 'strongly deny' new contract is close at RealVinicius Jr's entourage has 'strongly denied' that a new contract is close at Real Madrid as he reportedly demands a Cristiano Ronaldo type deal.Arse...
Mikel Arteta cast doubt over Mikel Merino’s availability for Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final after their 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace which puts Liverpool on the brink of the title.Liverpool need to secure only a draw against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday to be crowned Premier League champions after Palace substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta scored with seven minutes remaining at...
Arsenal prevented Liverpool from being crowned Premier League champions without kicking a ball despite conceding a late goal in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.Mikel Arteta’s players knew that a defeat at the Emirates would see Liverpool take the title, but the home side were ahead inside three minutes through Jakub Kiwior.Eberechie Eze’s superb volley from a corner hauled Palace lev...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Just 1 more point Nooo Jack Vini Jr lol Matheus Cunha responds to an Arsenal fan asking him to join Arsenal on Instagram. Lamine Yamal misses a 1v1Barcelona fans: Lamine Yamal's dribbling, playmaking & finishing. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss, RudigerRunning, PL__O...
- 1 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 4 Man City in pole position to secure Morgan Gibbs
- 5 Arteta makes exciting Arsenal transfer claim
- 6 Liverpool join race to sign attacker Jeremy Monga
- 7 Annan boost survival hope by thrashing champions Arbroath
- 8 Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta unsure if Mikel Merino will be fit enough for PSG game
- 9 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 10 Jordan Bowery earns Mansfield a point at Rotherham