REACTION: Eustace hails ‘Top Performance’ in Stoke City Win

John Eustace reacts to Derby County’s ‘top performance’ and ‘brilliant football’ to see the Rams earn three points against Stoke City.

Derby claimed their fifth home win on the spin as they bounced back from Good Friday’s narrow loss to the league leaders, Coventry City, with a controlled showing against Stoke.

Jaydon Banel’s first goal for the club earned Derby the lead after 54 minutes, and Carlton Morris bagged his 11th of the season to finish the game off in the final minute of regulation time.

The Head Coach spoke to RamsTVfollowing his side’s triumph over the Potters.

On a 2-0 Win Over Stoke City

I thought it was a top performance. I thought the football we played today was excellent. The pressure we put on them was very good.

It was an all-round top performance after Friday night. We could have easily felt a little bit sorry for ourselves. We worked our socks off on Friday, but the lads were magnificent, every single one of them. So much energy and desire to win the game today. That's the most pleasing thing for me.

On Jaydon Banel’s Opening Goal and Morris’ Strike to Close the Game

He was disappointed that he missed a couple of chances on Friday. I was positive of him coming on early, because it gave him time to adapt to the game. I thought he took his goal very, very well. There were some really good moments as well out on that wide area. I'm delighted for him and very pleased.

Carlton has worked his absolute socks off to get to where he is now. It's taken him a while to get up to speed with things, but I thought he was the best player on the pitch today; he was excellent. The way he looked after the ball, the way he dominated their defenders. It's been a long, long road back to getting that goal.

When he hit the post, he might be thinking, “It might not be my day,” but the way he took it, it was fantastic football. The goal itself is a brilliant footballing goal. I'm delighted he got his goal.

On Five Home Wins in a Row

It's been a gradual progression, as I spoke about at the start of the season. We've got players now who are fully up to speed. They know each other's jobs. They love playing with each other. You can see that on the pitch. Home and away, they've got a really good connection. That's been getting better and better.

The fans today were outstanding, right behind the group. I asked them to be the 12th man today. I knew it was going to be a really difficult game. It was a group effort, the fans and the players today.

On the Biggest Home Crowd of the Season

It's a fantastic football club. It's one of the reasons I came here. What we did last season to keep us in the league was an unbelievable achievement from the players, the staff and the fans, most importantly. I've come here to build. I've come here to really put a buzz about Derby County again.

It's going to take time for sure, but I'm delighted we're making real good progress now. It's really important going into the summer that we keep as many of these players as we can together and really watch us grow. We want to be a force to be reckoned with for sure.

Morris also caught up with RamsTV to reflect on a hard-earned three points at Pride Park.

On An Enjoyable Win and Goal

It has obviously been a long time coming. A bit of a frustrating season in terms of the long layoff, but the lads have been brilliant to get us in the position we are in now. I'm just trying to get in and be a part of finishing strong.

On Bobby Clark’s Assists

He's an incredible player. What a young player to play alongside. Watching his development over this season has been incredible. I say development like he hasn't always been a top player! He was outstanding again today, but you'd struggle to find one player in a Derby shirt who wasn't.

On Having Chances to Score Before Converting

I think they're the games that I cherish, to be honest, because I think it's coming. The games that frustrate me more are when you don't even get a sniff. Quite the opposite, to be fair. If you're getting chances, then I know I'm going to score eventually. It's inevitable.

Our display deserved more than just a 2-0 win today. Obviously, it's a professional performance. We've seen it out. But to back up a great performance against Coventry on Friday with three points today is the most important thing.

On Three Important Points in the Run-in

If you're just nicking wins every game, it's a good habit towards the business end of the season. But having the performances there as well builds your confidence even more, knowing that you can go in and beat anyone on any given day.