ROO’S HEROES BACK TO ZERO
Wayne hails shock win as best of his Rams career
IAN BAKER WAYNE ROONEY hailed this stunning Derby win as the best of his managerial career as they moved back up to zero points.
But the Rams boss still concedes it would be a miracle if his crisis-hit side survive the drop.
Derby were hit by a further deduction of nine points in the week to add to an earlier loss of 12.
Captain Tom Lawrence scored twice in the second half to overturn a 2-1 deficit and prevent Bournemouth returning to the top.
Pride Park fans sang: “We’re Derby County – we’ll fight to the end.”
And proud Rooney (right), who celebrated a year in charge last week, said: “Was this the best result of my management career? You could say that after the week and the circumstances. I really fancied us in this game and it’s nice to be on zero points again.
“Of course, there’s an opportunity to perform a miracle, which I feel it will be if we do stay up.
“While that chance is there, we’ll give it a go.
“We’re not going to come into training for the sake of it, we’re going to prepare for games and fight on the pitch to get as many points as we can.
“We’re a very good team and can compete with any side in this division.”
Derby took the lead when Jason Knight headed in
Max Bird’s corner. But six minutes later goalkeeper Kelle Roos gifted the Cherries a leveller. He inexplicably gave the ball to Jaidon Anthony who went on to score after Ryan Christie has been denied. It looked like all systems go for Bournemouth as they took the lead – Dominic Solanke scoring a fine goal after being set up by Jefferson Lerma for his 15th of the campaign. Now you wondered by how many Scott Parker’s side would win by. But Derby produced an amazing second-half display to rip up the form book as Bournemouth suffered a first away loss. Lawrence was at the heart of the turnaround as he produced a wonderful curling effort from just inside the area.
Then, seven minutes later, Graeme Shinnie was brought down by Jack Stacey with Lawrence coolly firing the spot-kick down the middle (below).
Bournemouth tried in vain for an equaliser with Phil Billing and Christie both missing free headers in the dying stages.
But Derby heroically held on.
Parker admitted: “It was a poor day for us.
“We were off in all aspects of our game. We were not brave enough with the ball and didn’t assert ourselves.
“We understand what Derby are going through.
“It became a difficult afternoon and Derby are a good side but we didn’t look like the team I wanted us to be.”