Neil Redfearn post Brighton and Hove Albion...
Rotherham United manager Neil Redfearn hailed his side’s display as ‘the perfect night’ after a 2-0 victory over high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion.
A goal just before half-time from Danny Ward gave the Millers the lead, and they sealed the points late on with Matt Derbyshire profiting on a mistake for the second.
The victory continues the Millers impressive recent home form after Redfearn’s side recorded their third successive victory at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
“We’re finding form at home, there’s no two ways about it, we’re on a good run,” Redfearn beamed after the game.
“Brighton are an excellent side, I thought it was a real contest first half, there was some good football played with both sides sparring.
“We got our noses in front, and the difference scoring the first goal can make, well it gives you that confidence. I thought they came onto us second half, but we toughed it out and we looked like we could score again. We got the second goal and that was pretty much the end of it.”
The Millers capitalised on their first half dominance by nudging in front when Danny Ward swept in a cross from the left, and Redfearn was quick to praise his side for taking advantage whilst they had the upper hand.
“We’ve been on top before and not scored, so it was important that when you’re having that joy you get your noses in front,” he added.
“We deserved that result tonight; we’ve been playing well for a while now.
“I just see bits in our play that we do through the week, dealing with the ball, passing it, and we’re not a bad side now – we can play. That came out tonight.
“I thought it was a great performance from the first minute to the last minute. Take nothing away from Brighton, they came and played their part in a good game, it was a good football game.
“The results tonight have gone in our favour, it was a perfect night. We’ve still got to keep chipping away, there’s a lot of the season to go, we know that.”
Ward bagged his second goal of the campaign, whilst Derbyshire notched his fourth, and Redfearn was pleased with the partnership they forged in attack.
“Danny Ward is a good player,” Redfearn confirmed.
“He’s someone I identified right from the off, and we’re starting to see the real Danny now. Matt Derbyshire up front with him played his part, they both played with energy, when they both do that it gives you a massive lift.
“The boys are finding their feet in midfield too. Green and Smallwood were excellent against Leeds, and they’ve done the same tonight against Brighton, they’re two talented lads.
“If you can nil the opposition you’re not going to get beat. At times it looked like they might pinch something in the second half, but because we grafted and we worked, we stuck in there.
“The results have been a little bit mixed, the home form has been very good, the away form not so good. We’ve got to keep doing the same things because if we keep doing that, it will turn."