Powell, who was assistant to boss Nigel Pearson, was given the reigns after Pearson was suspended by the club just a few hours before their Sky Bet Championship match at Cardiff City.

And it had an immediate impact, with second-half goals from Tom Ince and Nick Blackman ensuring the Rams notched three points, after hitting two goals in a single game for the first time this term.

“It was a very polished and professional performance from the players,” Powell told dcfc.co.uk.

“We needed to bounce back and that has been the focus since Saturday.

“We trained this morning and we knew what the team was. That was our game plan and they executed it.

“To a man, they were excellent and although we won 2-0, it could have been three or four at least.

“It’s the first time we have scored two goals in a game this season and we need to build on it now.”

Before last night, Derby only had six points on the board and sat in the bottom three following four defeats in their last five.

After what was a hard day for all involved at the club, Powell praised the players and fans, and attention will now turn to Saturday’s visit to Reading.

“It’s been a tough day, an emotional day for me, but I have got to say the players were really professional. They gave me and each other everything.

“We have got good players, but they haven’t shown it enough. I’m not lying when they say that, we have all said it to them.

“It was a good win for our fans. It’s a long way for them to come, especially with how the season has been so they deserve a lot of plaudits.”




Source link