Derby boss Wayne Rooney hails ‘greatest efficiency of the season’ regardless of conceding stoppage-time winner to Preston

Wayne Rooney skilled defeat for the primary time as a supervisor as his Derby aspect suffered a heart-breaking 1-Zero defeat at house to Preston.

The winner, scored by Alan Browne, got here within the sixth minute of stoppage-time in a match the place the Rams needed to play 70 minutes with ten males on account of Martyn Waghorn receiving a crimson card.

The loss is available in Rooney‘s seventh match as interim boss however extra importantly it means Derby are nonetheless within the Championship’s relegation zone.

Nevertheless, the Manchester United and England legend lower a constructive determine regardless of the way of defeat, claiming it’s been Derby’s greatest efficiency of the season.

He instructed talkSPORT: “Yeah, it’s in fact [disappointing to concede in the last minute].

“I mentioned to the gamers that was one of the best efficiency of the season. Happening to 10 males, digging in for therefore lengthy but in addition being a menace once we had the prospect to interrupt and nonetheless making an attempt to win the sport. I’m actually happy with the gamers – the angle, the work they put in.

“It’s laborious to face right here being happy after a defeat however I truthfully imagine that was one of the best efficiency of the season.

“I’m assured with these group of gamers, how they’re performing over the previous few weeks that we will go to these video games [against Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday] and get three factors.”

Elsewhere, Swansea rose to second with a 2-Zero win at QPR, profiting from Bournemouth’s conflict at Millwall being postponed on account of a coronavirus outbreak within the Lions camp.

Brentford midfielder Sergi Canos had a Boxing Day to recollect as his hat-trick helped his aspect win 3-2 at Cardiff in a match which additionally noticed Bluebirds star Will Vaulks rating from inside his personal half.

There have been additionally wins for Barnsley, Bristol City and Studying, whereas Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott continued to impress on mortgage at Blackburn as he supplied the help for Joe Rothwell within the 1-1 draw at house to Sheffield Wednesday.

Beneath you possibly can see the Championship’s Boxing Day ends in full.

Barnsley 2-1 Huddersfield

Blackburn 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday 
Bristol City 2-1 Wycombe
Cardiff 2-Three Brentford
Coventry 0-Zero Stoke
Derby 0-1 Preston 
Nottingham Forest 0-Zero Birmingham
QPR 0-2 Swansea
Studying 2-1 Luton
Watford vs Norwich (KO 7:45pm)
Middlesbrough P-P Rotherham