Johnson: "We Have That Belief"

Belief was the key to victory for Derby County in their quest to reach the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final according to midfielder Bradley Johnson.

Heading into the game, the Rams trailed by a single goal from the First Leg. Kemar Roofe’s strike at Pride Park Stadium saw Leeds United take the advantage into the Second Leg at Elland Road.

Many wrote the Rams off and the history books suggested it would be a tough ask for Frank Lampard’s side to turn around the result.

No Championship team had managed to overturn a First Leg defeat at home in the 32 years of the Play-Offs, however, Derby managed to defy all the odds.

A brace from Jack Marriott whilst further goals from Mason Mount and Harry Wilson ensured the Rams reached Wembley Stadium to set up a Play-Off Final clash against Dean Smith’s Aston Villa on May Bank Holiday Monday.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” stated Johnson, who was speaking to RamsTV.

“Look what it means to the fans, they have come out in their numbers like they have all season. They believed in us and we believed in ourselves.

“It wasn’t easy coming here, we know the crowd can play a big part. We have played them four times, they beat us three times but we beat them when it mattered most and now we’re into the final. We have that belief.

“At home, we were unfortunate not to come away with a draw but the belief the manager gives us, the staff, we know we can beat anyone and we proved that.”