Boss Mick McCarthy was delighted with his side’s response to going a goal down to Derby in the opening minute, but most of all with their second three-point haul against a fellow play-off contender in four days. The Blues are now eighth, two points from sixth.

“The result pleased me most, of course,” he said. “But other than that the response we gave to conceding a goal after less than a minute.

“The way we responded in the second half was more like us. I didn’t think we’d laid a finger on them in the first half. I think they were able to play and little Jonny was getting kicked from pillar to post and it was us picking ourselves up off the floor. I think we’ve deserved it in the second half.”

After he was booked for shoving winning goalscorer Christophe Berra early on, the Town crowd called for former Norwich man Chris Martin to be shown a second yellow card for what they felt was a later first-half foul on the Scottish international, but McCarthy felt otherwise.

“I don’t think Martin had sinned on Christophe Berra too much, there was nothing in that at all,” he said. “They were all baying for blood. He actually pulled out of it, Martin.

“He’s a good player, I thought he was excellent in the first half. Not so in the second because I thought Christophe and Tommy sorted that out.

“And if you’re going to get kicked from pillar to post, the best way to get your own back is to put the ball in the net, like little Jonny did. He was fab.”

The Town boss wasn’t sure whether Craig Bryson should have been sent off for his high challenge on Williams just before the break: “There were quite a few, I don’t know which one you mean. I don’t know. But it’s a sign of a good player when people kick him and he is a good player.”

After picking up six points from back-to-back games against other teams in the play-off mix McCarthy says he’s pleased with the way the Blues continue to accumulate points as they close in on the top six with eight games to go: “I keep saying you just keep ticking away trying to pick up points. We’ve just had two really tough games.

“I’m also pleased with Anthony Wordsworth, who I thought was different class, I’m pleased with him.

“Frank Nouble was excellent as well coming on, but Woody’s had two really good games from being out of the wilderness. To come back and play as well as he’s done, I’m delighted for him and delighted with him.

“Big Frank, that’s the way to respond when he came on and Sylv was unlucky with his header. It’s nice when you get a positive contribution from substitutes when they come on.”

The Town boss had further praise for Berra: “He’s been awesome this season, he’s been outstanding. It was quite fitting that he got the winner.

“We’ve had some good candidates [for Player of the Year] in the back four but even more so Christophe because he plays on the right-hand side and he’s not as comfortable there as he would be on the left, but he’s been outstanding.”

Regarding skipper Luke Chambers’s early exit, he explained: “He had blurred vision when he first came across [to the bench] and he was just starting not to be able to see properly.”

Derby boss Steve McClaren felt his side ought to have won: “We didn’t deserve to lose. We controlled the game, we played great football, created chances, but there wasn’t enough care in the final third.

“We kind of caused our own problems in the end. I don’t think Lee Grant had a shot to save apart from picking the ball out of the net from two set plays.

“I said at half-time that we made a great start, we controlled the game and we’ve got to be ruthless and get the second goal. We had opportunities and in the end we’ve paid the price for that.”

Elsewhere, Elliott Hewitt played the full 90 minutes as Gillingham won 1-0 at the MK Dons in League One, while Freddie Veseli also played the full game as Bury drew 0-0 at Newport in League Two.

Photo: Action Images

bluefeast added 23:13 - Mar 25 FANTASTIC GAME. Everyone take a mate on Saturday and lets fill the stadium. COYB
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Tractamatt added 23:13 - Mar 25 News on Williams tomorrow,I'd put money on it.
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Bown added 23:14 - Mar 25 what a game tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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wkj added 23:14 - Mar 25 Having been part of the away fans that 'lost' 4-4 at Derby away I can honestly say tonight justice has been served :)
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Jimmy86 added 23:21 - Mar 25 Sour grapes mclaren?? Wheres ya brolly you wally. You let your country down. How you think a 30 yard screamer was from a set play is as laughable as your first press conference in holland!! Speaking english in a dutch accent!!! Well we won mu friend and deserved it.
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Michael11 added 23:24 - Mar 25 Mick deserves massive credit for the attacking philosophy shown in the last couple of games. A point means as much as a defeat at this point so it's nice to see us going for it. At the same time, I think Derby tried to rough us up a bit tonight and it's fairly obvious that a team managed by Mick McCarthy will not lose a battle of physicality. When you compare this side to the state we were in last year, Mick's undoubtedly one of the best managers in the league. Hopefully we'll get 20,000+ through the gate for a massive game against Forest.

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bluefeast added 23:32 - Mar 25 Tony Pulis was at the game , i suspect he will be going back to Palace. I love players like him , hes like the championships Messi. I so hope we keep him as he makes so much of a difference.
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Tractamatt added 23:38 - Mar 25 I bet, if we fail to keep hold of Cresswell that some of the money is used to make a bid for him and if we have to lose Aarron getting Joniesta would soften the blow alot.
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siebdykstra added 23:41 - Mar 25 A fantastic second half performance, Williams was different class and wanted the ball so much. Hope we have a chance of signing him but if he keeps that kind of performance up Palace won't let him go. Game changed completely once the subs came on. Special mention to Frank who troubled Derby once he came on, Wordsworth had a great game. Not one player can be criticized tonight, and to see Mick really going for it and getting rewarded with a vital win says it all. Two points off the play offs and some games we should win coming up means going into the last four games I think we'll be in the top six. One final thing, I disagree with Micks comments on the possible sendings off. And if he didn't think they were possible reds why did he go to the ref at half time? Guess he doesn't want to get into trouble!

4

Sebastian added 23:43 - Mar 25 "Little Jonny".
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honder_ITFC added 23:43 - Mar 25 Superb game tonight! Portman Road was going crazy! Hopefully we can keep hold of Williams as he made the difference. Mick McCarthy is doing a fantastic job, still in with a chance for the play-offs this season but if not then with a few smart signings in the summer we have a massive chance next. COYB
4

GerkensBeard added 23:47 - Mar 25 Honestly one of the best games I have ever been too and the best of the season by a mile! Was on another level, Williams was absolutely outstanding and I am just so thankful that we have a player with such quality! Such a massive massive win and can't wait for Forest on Saturday! COYB
3

Cakeman added 23:58 - Mar 25 Well done lads, great fighting spirit which was needed against an over physical Derby. All played a great part tonight. We are sure going to miss Williams if he is recalled to Palace. On a different matter, what planet is that Clown of a ref from? It sure isn't Earth. I have seen some incompetent refs this season but this useless article takes the trophy!
1

Garv added 00:15 - Mar 26 Williams is a class act. Superb, much needed result!
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 00:44 - Mar 26 "Controlled the game." You're 'avin a larf, McClaren. We outfought you, especially in the 2nd half. Best game for ages, and great to get something of the old atmosphere back. COYB!
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 01:11 - Mar 26 Wonder if we could dye Jay Tabbs hair blonde and send him back to Palace instead of Williams?
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Alwaysablue added 04:17 - Mar 26 Kick him all you want, it just makes him score better goals! And big shout for Woody who was always looking to play forward and get stuck in. Berra and Smith, well doubt I need to comment really!
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battyblue added 05:31 - Mar 26 Well done all positives from me tonight the midfield is so much better now with Woody in there just a shame MM took so long to give him a chance also Johnny completes the set i wonder what will happen when skuse is fit
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bedsitfc added 06:01 - Mar 26 No point in Williams going back to palace as he is not in the 25 man squad
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Jimmy86 added 06:53 - Mar 26 Battyblue as much as il get down voted for saying this id have to say for me it would be hyam to make way. Yes he is a local boy and "1 of our own" but he is so limited it beggars belief. Cant do the simple things right even. So frustrating
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MJR101 added 07:15 - Mar 26 Johnny is eligible to play for Palace if recalled as he is under 21.
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Dissboyitfc added 07:29 - Mar 26 McClaren, stop being a poor loser, did the umbrella obscure your vision for the wonder strike ? ( set piece , really ?) Portman road needs and us fans need more of the same, COYB
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essexboy added 07:42 - Mar 26 What a joke McClaren is.Outstanding work rate from all the team and Williams is Magic.Lets hope we can keep him till the end of season.COYB.
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muhrensleftfoot added 08:28 - Mar 26 Great night, fantastic result. However, to put some reality into it - we were poor first half, very negative tactics with Murphy totally on his own up front. We sprang to life when MM finally put caution to the wind, and brought on SEB and Frank for the ineffective Anderson & Hunt. Please Mick, start with 2 up front against Forest on Saturday.
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Wickets added 08:38 - Mar 26 If i was the Derby keeper i'd be right pissed off with 'brolly wally' when he claimed that he didn't have a shot to save! he made a top class save from Murphy second half and had to be on his toes all second half.
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