Manager Frank Lampard praised his side’s spirit after a dominant second half display from Derby County saw them beat Birmingham City 3-1 at Pride Park Stadium.
Lucas Jutkiewicz gave the Blues the lead in the 10th minute of the game as the Rams found life hard in the opening 45 minutes.
However, after the break, goals from Mason Bennett, Harry Wilson and Jack Marriott secured Lampard’s side the victory in what turned out to be a comfortable win.
“It was really good in the second half,” Lampard told RamsTV. “In the first half we were slow and I think looking back we had a big game in the week, so I say fair enough for the first half.
“It had to be said at half-time that we needed to be more urgent, we needed to move the ball quicker, be braver on the ball, turn in midfield and take people out the game.
“Even in the first half, although we weren’t at our best, we created a few chances so once we were towards our best we were very good and could have scored more.
“We had character, showed resilience and it’s good for the team to know that. There will be moments in games where you are not at it and it’s important that we have the reaction in us, we have the ability to adapt and change on the pitch.
“It was a comfortable 3-1 in the end and I wouldn’t have expected to say that at half time.”
Mason Bennett was introduced in the 15th minute after Martyn Waghorn limped off injured and he seized the opportunity to make an impact.
He netted his first goal of the season on 53 minutes after latching on to a Craig Forsyth cross and Lampard praised his winger.
“I’m absolutely delighted for him,” he said. “He was playing regularly for a good patch of games and getting good results at the start of the season and whenever I bring him on he is so willing.
“He is probably on himself because he hasn’t scored but the job I am asking him to do for the team is difficult. He wont always get goals but to arrive at the back post, like he did, I love those goals. It looked like a tap in but the desire from him to be in the position was crucial.”
Jack Marriott continued his rich vein of form and notched his fourth league goal of the season, and made it five goals in six games in all competitions, and the manager wants him to continue his form.
“He has worked so hard and I’m delighted for him,” Lampard commented. “He needed to learn when he got here that it was a different level.
“You can give time for that and I’m glad that I didn’t throw him in before that because David Nugent was doing well but now he is fit, flying and confident, his all round game, with or without the ball, is really strong, and he is finishing.
“We must keep going as a team and Jack must also keep going because I think there is more to come from him.”
Another man who made a telling contribution was central defender Curtis Davies.
The captain has been missing since the opening game of the season due to injury, but he came back into the starting 11 this afternoon and did not put a foot wrong alongside Richard Keogh.
“We have been good at the back so it’s been hard to get Curtis some games and get him match fit but I thought he grew into the game,” said Lampard.
“In the opening stages they score, but then in the second half, when you need people to head the ball, have a driver in the team, the confidence in the team then we know what Curtis will give us and it was good to have him back.”
