REACTION: Eustace Hails ‘Gritty Performance’ in Charlton Triumph

John Eustace says his Derby County side ‘set the tone from the off’ in a 2-1 win against Charlton Athletic at The Valley on Tuesday night.

The victory was the Rams’ second on the bounce in the league after last Saturday’s 1-0 beating of Preston North End.

A Patrick Agyemang-inspired own goal gave the Rams the lead in South London; the American striker’s cross steered into the back of the net by Addicks defender Macauley Gillesphey.

Bobby Clark doubled the lead as he dispatched with an ice-cold finish on the hour - his third goal of the season in all competitions.

Charlton looked to get back into the contest when Tyreece Campbell’s effort from the edge of the penalty box narrowed the scoring, and Matt Clarke’s second yellow dismissal five minutes from time added to this.

But a resolute display in the closing minutes saw Derby withstand pressure from the hosts and clinch the win.

The Rams saw a late change before the game as goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell was drafted into the starting line-up, with Jacob Widell Zetterström ruled out with illness after the warm-up.

The 37-year-old shot-stopper was assured as he made his club debut, having signed up as a vital part of the goalkeeping group ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

O’Donnell made his most vital intervention in the game when he stopped a Gillesphey free-kick in the closing stages of the contest to maintain Derby’s advantage and earn the points.

Head Coach Eustace caught up with RamsTV after his side’s second away win on the spin.

On a hard-fought victory at the Valley

Everything about the performance tonight (impressed me), I think it's such a difficult place to come and win. I thought we set the tone from the first minute. We followed on a really good performance from Preston, and tonight was no different. I thought the front three, or rather the front four, were outstanding. Their work ethic and the way they linked together were very pleasing.

Corey coming in for his first start for a long time was excellent, and the back four, midfield, too, certainly followed that up. It was all around a real gritty performance, and I'm very proud of the effort.

On showing resilience against pressure to hold on for the result

To go anywhere away from home and have to defend a lead is going to be tough. It's a really difficult place here, but I thought the way the lads stood up to it was superb. We scored a fantastic goal on the transition. Bobby Clark took his goal really well, with great input from Ben Brereton Díaz.

We showed another side of ourselves - we always pride ourselves on sticking together and being hard to play against, but to go down to ten men with ten minutes to go and defend the box as we did was super special.

On Richard O’Donnell’s performance between the sticks

Richard came in for his debut for the football club in the Championship tonight. I didn't think he put a foot wrong, and he deserved a clean sheet. But full credit to him, the way he dedicates his life to helping Jacob, Josh Vickers and Harley Price all season. When he's asked to step in, then you get a performance like that - I was really pleased for him, and he deserves a victory as well.

Goalkeeper O’Donnell also spoke to RamsTV after taking home maximum points on debut.

On taking a well-earned victory

It was amazing. I've loved every second of that. Even when we were under the kosh for the last seven minutes with 10 men, I absolutely loved it, and I am delighted for the boys.

On trusting the squad to feel comfortable stepping in

I felt really relaxed. It's nothing I hadn't done before, and I thought, “Just go and enjoy it.” It was obviously a surprise, but the main thing when I found out I was playing, was to just go and enjoy it, be calm, and have a good time. It's a game of football, so that's how I saw it, and that's how I felt out there.

On the group fighting adversity and showing character

It shows the work that we do day in, day out. I've got to give massive credit to everyone behind the scenes, because it means the whole squad feel like they can come in and perform when needed.

And I'm no different. I'm probably at times the furthest away from having the chance to be playing. But Clem, Jack and everyone behind the scenes work so hard to make sure that we are ready for that opportunity. So, I'm as happy for them as I am for me as well, because people might not see all the work that certain individuals do.

On two away wins breeding confidence

You can see the confidence in the group at the moment. Coming here and going away at Preston is two really tough games, and we've come away with six points and, going into Friday, we want to make that three out of three.