Ipswich v Derby: Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy hailed his players after they produced a gutsy come-from-behind win against Derby County at Portman Road.
Patrick Bamford had put the high-flying Rams in front after just 33 seconds, but Johnny Williams rifled home a superb 68th minute leveller and Christophe Berra headed home a dramatic stoppage-time winner.
Every result in the Championship went the Blues’ way too, with top six rivals Wigan, Reading, Brighton and Nottingham Forest all losing and the chasing duo of Watford and Blackburn drawing against each other.
McCarthy’s men are now just two points off the Championship top six heading in to the final eight games of the campaign, with Nottingham Forest – winless in eight – the visitors to Suffolk on Saturday.
Asked what pleased him most about the night, McCarthy said: “The result, of course. Other than that, the way we responded to going behind after less than a minute.
“I don’t think we laid a finger on them in the first half, little Johnny (Williams) was getting kicked from pillar to post and it was us picking ourselves up off the floor. Second half we responded and I think we deserved it.
“If you’re going to get kicked from pillar to post then the best way to get your own back is put the ball in the back of the net. That was fab. It’s a sign of a good player if people kick you.”
On match-winner Berra, who made a super saving tackle moments before scoring his fifth of the season, McCarthy said: “He’s been awesome this season, absolutely outstanding. It was quite fitting that he got the winner.”
He continued: “I’ll tell you who I am pleased with, I’m pleased with Anthony Wordsworth. I thought he was different class.
“He’s had two really good games after coming back in from the wilderness. I’m delighted for him and delighted with him. Big Frank (Nouble) also responded really well when coming on as a sub.”
Rams boss Steve McClaren: “I thought we controlled the game, created chances but there was not enough care in the final third.
“Our keeper has not had a shot to save apart from picking the ball out of the net from two set-pieces. We caused our own problems in the end.
“I can’t fault the attitude and the football was great. We had a good opportunity, but in the end we paid the price.”
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