Crunch time with Rooney on a roll

DERBY manager Wayne Rooney admits his team are facing what could prove a ‘big turning point’ in their season after they moved five points clear of the relegation zone.

Derby now face a rearranged game on Tuesday night at Rotherham, who beat them at Pride Park two weeks ago.

Since then, Rooney has masterminded three straight wins and the latest was secured in the fourth minute when Colin KazimRichards side-footed in at the far post from Lee Buchanan’s cross. ‘We’ve got a very important game on Tuesday and I think that will be a big turning point, if we win that game,’ Rooney said.

Bristol City head coach Dean Holden admitted his side had been second best. ‘Nowhere near the level we would expect,’ he said.

TONY MOWBRAY praised his Blackburn side for finding a way to win after scoring late on to defeat Luton.

Adam Armstrong made the all-important breakthrough five minutes from the end and Mowbray was relieved. He said: ‘It wasn’t great at times. We have games like this, if we have aspirations to get into the top six.’

Luton boss Nathan Jones said he was left feeling ‘physically sick’ after his side ‘switched off’ for Blackburn’s winner.

SHEFFIELD Wednesday caretaker boss Neil Thompson praised his side’s work-rate.

The hosts struck on the brink of half time as Liam Palmer scored his first goal in over nine years.

Thompson said: ‘It was a tough game against a good team.

‘The biggest thing for me was getting a reaction from midweek.’

Preston boss Alex Neil added: ‘It’s a tough one. We were in control of the game in the first half and the goal was a shocker.’

CARDIFF boss Mick McCarthy believes he got the perfect response from Harry Wilson after he made an impact off the bench against Millwall.

The Wales star set up Kieffer Moore’s second-half equaliser after Aden Flint’s early own goal put them behind.

‘I loved his [Wilson’s] reaction of coming on and creating that goal,’ McCarthy said.

BIRMINGHAM head coach Aitor Karanka revealed the club are close to the £2million signing of Aberdeen striker Sam Cosgrove after their draw with Coventry.

‘The club is working on it and hopefully we can finish it as soon as possible,’ said Karanka.

Jeremie Bela’s 18th-minute penalty gave the hosts the perfect start, but Mark Robins’ Coventry deservedly levelled through Gustavo Hamer. Robins said they were ‘unfortunate’.

CHRIS HUGHTON was pleased with his Nottingham Forest side’s battling spirit – but frustrated by their failure to convert their chances.

Lewis Grabban and Anthony Knockaert failed to make the most of golden chances, and Hughton said: ‘We were not able to capitalise.’

Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael was furious that his side were not given a penalty when Michal Helik appeared to have been pulled back. ‘It was a big mistake,’ he said.

STOKE boss Michael O’Neill praised his side as they held on with 10 men to earn a point.

Huddersfield took an early lead through right-back Pipa, before Stoke levelled through a Steven Fletcher penalty. Rhys Norrington-Davies saw red in first-half stoppage time for Stoke.

‘At the time I thought the red card was harsh as clearly he takes the ball,’ O’Neill said. ‘I’ve seen it back and I can understand that it looks wreckless and on that basis the referee is justified in giving it.’

Huddersfield boss Carlos Corberán added: ‘It was a frustrating day for us.’

IF promotion races are settled on the finest of margins, the January signing of Conor Hourihane could just swing it in Swansea’s favour.

After scoring a vital equaliser against promotion rivals Brentford on Wednesday, he excelled again yesterday with a goal and a hand in two more. First, he opened the scoring with a left-footed daisycutter into the far corner at the end of a fine passing move. Then Matt Grimes added a second and Jay Fulton put the game to bed after Rotherham threatened a comeback through Freddie Ladapo.

‘Conor’s new and he’s got two goals already,’ said Swansea boss Steve Cooper. ‘We’re buzzing — we scored good goals and played great football.’ The win keeps Swansea in second, four points behind leaders Norwich, whom they play next on Friday night.