REACTION: Eustace and Thompson Full Of Praise After 'Fantastic' Victory At Hillsborough

Head Coach John Eustace labelled Derby County’s commanding performance against Sheffield Wednesday as ‘fantastic’.

The Rams emerged as 3-0 winners at Hillsborough in their latest success on the road in the Sky Bet Championship on Monday evening, following a brace from Patrick Agyemang either side of Liam Thompson’s first Championship goal.

American Agyemang opened the scoring midway through the first half with a clinical left-footed finish, before Academy graduate Thompson netted his first goal since a Carabao Cup Round One victory over Chesterfield in August 2024 to double the side's lead.

Agyemang added the Rams' third soon afterwards from close range to round off an impressive away win, their fifth on the road this term to already surpass the four recorded in the 2024/25 campaign.

The victory lifts Eustace’s side back into the top half of the table, with the Derby boss full of praise for his side, as well as the travelling Derby fans, when he spoke to RamsTV after the final whistle.

On A Professional Performance:

I thought it was a fantastic victory. In the first half, I was disappointed that we didn't score more goals. I thought we got into some fantastic positions, but that final pass, that level of composure needed, wasn't quite there. We could have been out of sight in that first half.

Patrick's goal was a fantastic finish, a top, top finish. I was really pleased with him because I felt that he got in some really good positions in that first half but wasn't clinical. So, the way he scored was really pleasing.

We were very professional in the second half, and scoring two goals was really pleasing. The amount of opportunities we created on the transition gave us some great chances to score more too.

On Being Ruthless:

It was always going to be a really difficult game coming here. I went to watch Sheffield Wednesday play Watford last week and they were excellent.

I felt that we were very professional and didn't really give them an opportunity to get going and get this place rocking.

At 1-0, even at 2-0, these games aren't over. We've led 2-0 on a couple of occasions this year, so to make it 3-0 so quickly was great. Liam Thompson’s finish was good; I was really pleased for him.

That's his first Championship goal in his career and in the last couple of games he's been excellent. It just typifies what the squad's all about.

On A Squad Effort:

You've got players like Joe Ward and Liam Thompson coming in, who maybe a few weeks ago weren't even on the bench. That's the way the coaches train the boys and their attitude day in, day out. Since I've been at the football club, it's been excellent.

I always say that it's about the squad, because over the course of 46 games, you're going to get injuries and suspensions, so people have got to step up.

The squad is growing and we've got players coming back from injury now as well, which is going to be a great boost for the group. Whoever puts that shirt on, home or away, they're always 100 per cent committed, and that's all I ask for.

On Craig Forsyth And Rhian Brewster’s Return To The Side:

I thought Craig Forsyth's performance was top, top draw. He didn't put a foot wrong. He was up against a really tricky winger there as well, with lots of pace. But his experience and know-how got him through that. He was very composed on the ball as well, so I was really pleased for him.

It's really important that we manage Rhian properly. Everyone can see he's got some touches of pure quality and we've got to keep him fit now and we've got to make sure that he's a match winner for us. His assist for the third goal was obviously top draw.

On Keeping A Clean Sheet:

It was really important for us; that's our fourth clean sheet of the season. It's something we pride ourselves on and we haven't had enough clean sheets. The lads have been working their socks off to make sure they do. I was delighted for the whole team that we managed to get one today.

On The Incredible Away Support From The Rams Fans:

I was really pleased last Wednesday against Millwall at Pride Park, under really difficult circumstances and on the back of two defeats against Middlesbrough and Leicester. The way we went 1-0 down against the run of play with an own goal, we could have quite easily given up. The way the boys got that equaliser in the last couple of minutes was so pleasing for me. The fans are right behind the group as well.

Then to have 4,000 Derby fans behind the goal tonight, I am really happy we could give them a 3-0 victory. I know on Saturday, against Portsmouth back at home, the fans are going to be right behind the group again. It'll be another full house.

As long as they can see that that level of commitment and that competitiveness is there from the group, that's all they ask and that's all I ask from the group. We'll get that going again on Saturday.

After bagging the maiden Championship goal of his career, Academy graduate Liam Thompson also spoke to RamsTV and he started by reliving that ‘amazing’ moment.

On Scoring His First Championship Goal:

I’m really pleased. I’m more happy to contribute to the team, but scoring is an amazing feeling. I’ve not had that feeling many times, but to do it in front of the amazing away support felt that bit better. It was an unbelievable feeling, but I’m just happy for the team.

The knee slide [celebration] was worth the pain; I didn't realise it was astroturf on the side! I got a few knee grazes, but it’s all worth it. It felt amazing and hopefully I can get that feeling again.

On A Professional Performance:

I’m very pleased with the team. It was a very good, professional performance and a good reaction from the boys following a few of the recent results.

The game could have been done in the first half if we were more clinical, we just said that in the changing room. But it was a brilliant response, and a brilliant result to come here and keep a clean sheet.

After that second goal went in, we were really comfortable and felt like we could have gone and scored a couple more. I thought our shape was excellent and we just did the basics really well.

On His Role After Returning To The Team:

I'm really enjoying it. I think the gaffer bangs on to me and Bobby [Clark], the two sixes - or whoever is in there - to get on the ball and make things tick. But first and foremost, to do the basics, defend, win our duels and then grow into the game.

That's what the gaffer wants us to do, and I think we did that really well tonight. We were patient, we had times where we didn't have the ball, but I think we looked dangerous without the ball because our shape was so good.

On Being Back At Pride Park Against Portsmouth On Saturday:

Being back at home on Saturday is huge. The result tonight and that performance gives us loads of confidence going into the Portsmouth game. It will be another tough match., but one we're looking forward to.

We want to go again and get another win. It’s about not relaxing, and focusing on the next game now.