Derby head coach John Eustace spotted signs of encouragement as his team boosted their survival hopes with a 2-1 win over his former club Blackburn.
Eustace is convinced his players have the heart to avoid relegation after his first win since he left Ewood Park last month lifted Derby off the bottom of the Championship.
He said: “I thought before the game the team was in a very good place and I can see the group growing. I think they are starting to believe in each other more and more.
“The most important thing is you can see the effort of the group. Where we might lack a little bit of quality at times, we give back with endeavour and effort.
“I was really proud with the effort of the group, the lads were outstanding today. We’ve had a very difficult week with injuries but the way the lads went about their business was something I’m very proud of.
“I thought the stadium was electric, it was rocking. Both sets of fans were great and the way the Derby fans got behind the boys was great, they pulled the ball into the net for those first two goals and certainly kept the ball away from the net in the second half!”
But there was also bad news as Eustace revealed Norwegian striker Lars Jorgen Salvesen has undergone surgery on a knee injury and will miss the rest of the season.
Derby had not won since Boxing Day but they flew out of the traps and were two up inside seven minutes.
Craig Forsyth reacted sharply to turn the ball in at the back post after a free-kick was headed on and Ebou Adams pounced on a loose ball when Blackburn failed to deal with a low cross.
Rovers responded and after Jacob Widell Zetterstrom denied Yuki Ohashi, they reduced the arrears five minutes before the break. Tyrhys Dolan pulled the ball and Ohashi found Makhtar Gueye who smashed a shot into the roof of the net.
Blackburn dominated possession for long periods in the second half but Derby defended resolutely and could have added a third goal in the 84th minute through Jerry Yates.
Blackburn head coach Valerien Ismael said: “The players are really disappointed, they wanted more, maybe they wanted it too much and we lost the game in the first seven minutes.
“We knew exactly what we would face, everything was set but the first seven minutes were very difficult to manage. We changed the shape and after that it was much better, we had more control.
“The goal gave us momentum for the second half and we were in control but we were not very dangerous and I expected more crosses, more penetration and shots on target. It’s something we need to work on and learn from.
“It’s a learning process for the players, if you want to fight and compete for something then you have to be ready from the first to the last minute.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Every season Arsenal must sign at least one Chelsea player Arsenal Striker now Raya.... Latin/South American Teams are UNBEATEN After the First Round of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup! Lamine Yamal is spending his S̶c̶h̶o̶o̶l̶ Holidays with 30-year-old Spanish influencer Fati Vazquez… Relegation Zone Club – Manchester United will face THREE o...
Marcus Rashford wants to miss Manchester United's summer tour of America in favour of finding himself a new club.Ruben Amorim's squad are due to travel America next month to ramp up their pre-season preparations. But Rashford is desperate to avoid going if he has not secured an exit from Old Trafford, and will tell club bosses he wants to remain in England to resolve his future.It's understood Amo...
Liverpool are reportedly set to table a 'significant' offer for Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi. The defender has just one year left on his contract at Selhurst Park and is therefore expected to be on the move this summer.Guehi has been heavily linked with a move away from the Eagles over the past few seasons, with Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham all showing an interest in acquiring the services o...
Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min could soon be exiting the north London club.Once part of a formidable partnership with Harry Kane, there is no question the South Korea international's powers appeared to have waned last season.Thankfully, after an almost 10-year association with Tottenham, Son finally marked his time at the club with a trophy last season, lifting the Europa League under dep...
Maresca reveals if Chelsea will sign a replacement for MudrykChelsea boss Enzo Maresca has revealed whether the Blues will sign a replacement for Mykhailo Mudryk after the winger's doping charges."We had already one entire season almost without Misha last season. We tried to find different solutions with some of the academy players like Tyrique [George]."But we're going to decide to go for a winge...
Liverpool join race to sign Crystal Palace star Marc GuehiLiverpool have reportedly joined the race to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi as they seek to bolster their back line this summer.The 24-year-old is widely expected to leave the FA Cup holders this summer with his contract set to expire at the end of next season.According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are now looking to sign a new cent...
Arsenal to pay ABOVE Martin Zubimendi release clauseArsenal will have to pay above the €60m release clause in Martin Zubimendi's Real Sociedad contract to get the deal done this summer.The 26-year-old has been in talks with Arsenal over a move from Spain to North London for the past six months and it’s now reaching Its climax.Personal terms were agreed some time ago but the clubs have ...
Lionel Messi celebrates his free kickLionel Messi’s 50th Inter Miami goal in only his 61st appearance for the club sealed a 2-1 comeback win over FC Porto in their FIFA Club World Cup Group A clash, securing a first-ever victory in the competition.Both sides contested goalless draws in their respective opening matches, but the deadlock was broken after only eight minutes in Atlanta through a...
Man City handed Premier League fine ahead of 115 charges verdictMan City have been slapped with a 3800k fine by the Premier League for repeated late kick-offs as they await the verdict for their alleged 115 charges.Pep Guardiola’s side have been fined approximately 3800,000 after admitting to nine breaches of Premier League Rule L.33, which governs punctuality for kick-offs and second-half r...
Man United set to miss out on goalkeeper target after Napoli talksMan United look set to miss out on one of their reported goalkeeping targets with Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in talks with Serie A champions Napoli.United had been heavily linked with the 28-year-old with current number one Andre Onana failing to convince since his move back in 2023.According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Milinkovic...
- 1 DONE DEAL: Marseille confirm CJ Egan-Riley signing from Burnley
- 2 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 3 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 4 Man Utd have Hugo Ekitike 'advantage'
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 Stunning Euro U21 reporter dubbed 'queen of Europe' in bold dress
- 7 Man Utd make decision on replacing Andre Onana with Emi Martinez this summer
- 8 DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB Leipzig
- 9 Real Madrid eye a trio of targets
- 10 Maddison and Wag announce they're expecting twins AGAIN