John Eustace revealed he was oblivious that Derby had dropped into the Sky Bet Championship drop zone before a 1-0 win at Hull propelled them out of the bottom three.
Luton’s last-gasp victory over Coventry in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off meant the Rams fell into the final relegation place and it seemed they might stay there after creating little at the MKM Stadium.
But Nat Phillips headed home Craig Forsyth’s left-wing free-kick in the 84th minute to settle a low-quality contest as Derby lifted themselves up to 19th in the table, with Hull dropping to 22nd.
“We just prepared properly,” Derby head coach Eustace said. “The lads were focused on this game, that’s all we care about. It’s very important that we don’t get carried away with the highs and lows.
“You don’t look at the other clubs and what they’re doing, we concentrate on Derby County and we can control that. If we start worrying about other things, there will be problems.
“I was unaware that Luton had won, I’m sure the majority of the group were as well and we went about our business in the right way and got the right result.”
A momentous final day of the season awaits next weekend as Derby still need to beat Stoke at Pride Park to guarantee their second-tier status, with the Potters also not certain of survival.
“I’m really pleased with the three points, Eustace added. “Full credit to the players, they have handled the big occasion very well and now they’ve got to go and do it next week.”
The outcome of Derby’s clash with Stoke will be of critical importance for Hull, whose fate is still just about in their own hands if they can win at Portsmouth on the final day next Saturday.
Derby and Stoke are just one and two points above Hull respectively so Tigers head coach Ruben Selles insisted his side are not yet out of the running despite a major setback in East Yorkshire.
“I’m very disappointed with this result, it’s difficult to take but we have to accept it and know that if we win the last game of the season, we will be where we want to be,” Selles said.
“It’s now or never if we want to stay up – and we want to do it. Let’s prepare in the week, go for it with everything we have and I will demand everything from us.”
[(Angers SCO) Strength]: 1. Angers SCO performed underwhelmingly in Ligue 1 last season. They surely hope to secure a better ranking this season. Facing newly-promoted Paris FC, they are motivated to take all 3 points in this game.2. Angers SCO signed goalkeeper Herve Koffi from RC Lens and midfielder Louis Mouton from AS Saint-Etienne in the transfer window.3. Angers SCO received 4 wins, 1 draw, ...
[(FC Nantes) Strength]: 1. FC Nantes finished 13th last season, with a serious situation of avoiding relegation. They aim to keep their survival in the new season. Facing Paris Saint-Germain FC, earning points or even a victory would solidify their foundation for avoiding relegation. With decent home form, FC Nantes hope to capitalize on home advantage to boost morale and confidence, making them h...
[(Espanyol) Strength]: 1. Espanyol finished 14th with 11 wins, 9 draws, and 18 losses in last season's La Liga. They scored 40 goals and conceded 51 in 38 league games. In the offseason, the team signed new players to boost their lineup. They are strongly motivated in the first home game of the new season.2. Espanyol's young forward Roberto Fernandez has completed his permanent transfer to Espanyo...
[(Athletic Bilbao) Strength]: 1. To secure their first win this season, Athletic Bilbao are undoubtedly motivated in this game.2. On July 4, Athletic Bilbao officially announced Nico Williams' contract extension until 2035, with his release clause increasing by at least 50% to over 87 million euros.3. Athletic Bilbao won 13 of the last 20 home games across all competitions, showcasing outstanding ...
[(Manchester United F.C.) Strength]: 1. As it's the opening match of the new season, Manchester United F.C. are highly motivated to secure their first victory at Old Trafford.2. Manchester United F.C. have focused their summer rebuild on the attack, spending heavily on a new trio of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, which should improve their offensive output.3. Manchester United F....
[(Nottingham Forest) Strength]: 1. This game is the first home match of Nottingham Forest in the new season, so the team will surely hope to start with a win.2. Nottingham Forest finished 7th with 19 wins, 8 draws, and 11 losses in the Premier League last season, once entering the top four.3. Nottingham Forest had a home record of 9 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses in last season's Premier League, rank...
[(Chelsea F.C.) Strength]: 1. This summer, Chelsea F.C.'s most significant reinforcements came in the attacking line. Liam Delap and Joao Pedro joined early, participated in the Club World Cup, and quickly integrated into the team, both scoring goals. Meanwhile, young talent Estevao Willian, before his transfer, scored a stunning goal for Palmeiras against Chelsea F.C. in the same tournament. The ...
[(Gwangju FC) Strength]: 1. Gwangju FC's newly signed foreign forward Holmbert Fridjonsson made his K League 1 debut as a substitute in the last match and could be in line for a starting spot in this game.[(Gwangju FC) Weakness]: 1. Gwangju FC's foreign striker Jasir Asani is set to join Iranian club Esteghlal F.C. He missed the last league match due to an ankle injury and remains doubtful for thi...
[(Gimcheon Sangmu FC) Strength]: 1. Gimcheon Sangmu FC forward Park Sang Hyeok scored 8 goals in the league this season, becoming the most stable scoring point of the team.2. Gimcheon Sangmu FC drew 0-0 with Gangwon FC in the last league game on the road. They were unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws in the last 4 league games, revealing stable form.3. Gimcheon Sangmu FC scored 8 goals in the last 5 ...
[(Fagiano Okayama) Strength]: 1. Fagiano Okayama midfielder Hiroto Iwabuchi scored a brace in the last league game, helping the team take all 3 points.2. Fagiano Okayama's top scorer Takaya Kimurab scored a goal in the last league game, ending a nearly three-month goal drought as he found the net for the first time in seven games.3. Fagiano Okayama won 3-0 over Gamba Osaka in the last league game ...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 Hummels snubs son for match with new model girlfriend
- 4 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 5 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 6 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 7 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
- 8 Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: Man Utd-Arsenal showdown sets early stage for big-money No.9s to show the Premier League what they can offer
- 9 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss
- 10 Alexander Isak goes on STRIKE! Forward Refuses to Play Newcastle Opener as Liverpool Linger