Derby County Head Coach John Eustace commended his side’s belief and game management as they grafted to earn three vital Sky Bet Championship points against West Bromwich Albion on Easter Monday.
The Rams produced a fine display at the Hawthorns as they clinched a 3-1 win over play-off chasing West Brom to remain outside the second tier's relegation zone on goal difference.
Headed goals from Ebou Adams and Jerry Yates had Derby two ahead on the half hour mark.
Sweeping attacking substitutions from the hosts saw them push and get a goal back in the 70th minute through Adam Armstrong’s finish.
However, the hosts’ ascendancy was nullified after backs-to-the-wall defending from the Rams reaped its rewards as Nathaniel Mendez-Laing scored in the 88th minute to cement the victory.
Eustace spoke to RamsTV after the game to reflect on the result in the West Midlands.
On a 3-1 win against West Brom…
I’m very proud of everyone connected with the team and the football club. I thought it was a group effort. To come here and do what we did today was really pleasing. The character of the group was great. We knew that West Brom would dominate the ball and dominate possession, but we had a game plan - and we stuck to that game plan. Ultimately, we got a fantastic victory and it's full credit to the players. The players were disappointed after Friday's defeat to Luton, so to come back in the fashion that we did today and get three points just shows how connected everyone is and how everyone wants to do well for this fantastic football club.
On showing belief on the pitch…
It's about the performance and believing in the process. We had a poor first 45 minutes against Luton on Friday, but in the second 45 minutes we did enough to score and at least take a point.
Everyone was disappointed but very angry as well. We wanted to come here and stamp our authority on the game, which we did. We were really hard to play against, really committed, and we scored three fantastic goals.
On scoring twice from set pieces…
The amount of work that Matt Gardiner puts in on that side of it is unbelievable. His level of detail in both boxes is there for everyone to see. I'm really pleased for him and the group. It's an art and the delivery today was excellent.
On riding the pressure and showing character after West Brom scored…
I thought we managed it straight away. I don't think they had any chances really after that. I thought the goal we conceded was a really sloppy goal, where we switched off. The character the boys showed when we conceded was very, very good. You saw the players they brought on; some really big hitters. The way the boys went about their business was excellent.