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. Enzo Maresca now The Arsenal of Italy When you see it… Arteta really thinks this. The difference The last time Man United won a European Trophy was when they played against… Andre Onana! James Maddison had a big night Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC...
Kyle Walker's decline led to him being cast aside by Pep Guardiola, before he joined AC Milan in January. Since then, it has been Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis that have operated at right-back, but Man City are keen for a specialist to be brought in during the summer. And they have now set their sights on one of the Premier League's brightest talents.Man City identify Tino Livramento as leading rig...
Alejandro Garnacho is increasingly likely to leave Manchester United this summer, sources have told ESPN, after he was named on the bench for the Europa League final.United and Garnacho's representatives are expected to have a meeting in the coming days to discuss the Argentina international's exit during the summer transfer window, a source told ESPN.The player is unhappy with the role he has pla...
Liverpool have received a major boost in their pursuit of Florian Wirtz, with Bayern Munich believing the playmaker will not be joining them and is on track for a move to Anfield if he leaves Bayer Leverkusen this summer.Wirtz has been targeted by both clubs but is believed to favour Liverpool — although they would still need to agree a deal with Leverkusen, which is not a formality given th...
Fernandes told to make mind up over £200m Al-Hilal moveAl-Hilal have reportedly warned Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes to make a quick decision over a huge £200 million ($271m) move to Saudi Arabia.Barca could bid farewell to Torre in final La Liga gameYoung midfielder Pablo Torre's future is currently uncertain, and he could play his final game for the Catalans against Athletic C...
DONE DEAL? Al Sadd reach pre-contract terms with Barcelona midfielder PrimAl Sadd have clinched an agreement with Barcelona midfielder Pau Prim.The 19 year-old prospect comes off contract at the end of next month and Mundo Deportivo says Qatar's Al Sadd have agreed a pre-contract with the youngster.Prim will move to the Middle East in a Bosman transfer.The midfielder follows the path of Barca lege...
Atletico Madrid planning shock Real Madrid raid for RodrygoAtletico Madrid are eyeing a shock raid on Real Madrid for unhappy attacker Rodrygo Goes.Rodrygo is unsettled and unhappy at Real, convinced he will never receive the recognition he believes he deserves for what he has achieved with the club.As such, Rodrygo and his agents are considering their options, with talks with Manchester City havi...
McKenna reveals Liam Delap will leave this summer: We've given him the permission...Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has confirmed that striker Liam Delap will leave the club this summer and he fully supports his decision.The England Under-21 striker will be free to leave Portman Road for just 330m this summer after the Tractor Boys were relegated to the Championship. Delap has scored 12 goals ...
1. FC Heidenheim 1846 v Bayer 04 Leverkusen - BundesligaJonathan Tah and Bayern Munich have reached an agreement that will see the defender join the Bundesliga champions on a free transfer.WHAT HAPPENED?Tah will complete a long-awaited move to Vincent Kompany's side from Bayer Leverkusen when his contract expires this summer, with Sky Sport reporting a deal has been struck. According to Fabrizio R...
Napoli v Cagliari - Serie AScott McTominay has been named Serie A's best player of the 2024-25 season after his key role in Napoli's title success.WHAT HAPPENED?McTominay brought an end to a fantastic debut season in Italy when he scored in Napoli's 2-0 win against Cagliari on Friday, securing the Serie A title on the final day of the season.THE BIGGER PICTUREWith 12 goals and six assists since hi...
- 1 Mikel Arteta ready to give his life to deliver silverware for Arsenal
- 2 Man City withdraw and Liverpool could steal
- 3 Chelsea beat Manchester United in FA Cup final to seal domestic treble
- 4 Mikel Arteta apologises for failing to deliver Arsenal a Premier League title
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 Dele Alli’s girlfriend Cindy sets pulses racing in barely
- 7 Man United man makes stunning claim
- 8 Tottenham vs Manchester United Prediction 22 May 2025
- 9 Eberechi Eze is at it again as he helps Crystal Palace to victory against Wolves
- 10 Liverpool considering transfer swoop