Bristol City 1-0 Derby County: Wayne Rooney has 'positives' to take from managerial debut
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Wayne Rooney has only scored one goal for Derby so far this season
Wayne Rooney can take "plenty of positives" despite tasting defeat in his first game as a manager, according to his Derby County co-caretaker boss Liam Rosenior.
Former England striker Rooney took over joint control of the side last week, but was unable to inspire the bottom-of-the-table Rams on the pitch or off as they lost a tight contest to Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
Rooney, 35, impressed in his midfield role, but his side created few clear-cut chances.
And City, who have now won three in a row, took all the points with a well-worked winner when Famara Diedhiou smashed the ball low past David Marshall with 12 minutes remaining.
Rosenior, part of a four-strong interim coaching team alongside Rooney, Shay Given and Justin Walker following Phillip Cocu's sacking, said: "The players gave us everything and we are proud of them.
"Apart from the goal, I don't think Bristol created a worthwhile chance. We may not have had too many clear openings ourselves but we got the ball into dangerous areas on countless occasions.
"Wayne showed again what a great player he still is. But it is not about me or him at the moment, it is about four of us doing our utmost to bring the best out of the lads.
"We all have an equal say and that will continue. We have some very good players to work with, which is very important, and there were plenty of positives."
Derby fire blanks again
Defeat was harsh on the visitors, who remain on six points, having managed just one Championship win in 12 so far this season.
But impressive as their build-up play was, their inability to take what few openings they forged, once again cost them dear - as it ultimately did with Cocu, who won just 21 of his 65 games in charge.
Rooney, who has said he wants the Rams job on a full-time basis, was a key man on the pitch, orchestrating proceedings and leaving the in-game touchline decisions to Rosenior, Given and Walker.
Martyn Waghorn had an early volley brilliantly saved by City keeper Daniel Bentley, while Max Bird missed Derby's best chance after the break, shooting wide when well placed.
But City, who climb to third in the table, proved more clinical in front of goal and the winner was delightfully created.
Diedhiou made the breakthrough in a game that saw just five efforts on target, grabbing his first goal of the season with a low shot into the bottom corner after showing neat control from a fine run and cross by the impressive Antoine Semenyo.
Derby have scored just five league goals this season and they did not come close to adding to their meagre tally in the closing stages.
Famara Diedhiou's winner was his first goal of the season
Bristol City head coach Dean Holden, whose team's preparations were hit by a Covid-19 outbreak at their training ground:
"To play like that after only one and a half day's training this week was an unbelievable effort by the players.
"I can't stress too much how well they did in the circumstances. During an international break you normally have two weeks to build up to the next game.
"There was concern about the health of many players and staff, but they all responded professionally and the team looked solid and well-organised throughout.
"Derby should be at the other end of the table with the players they have. We were up against one of the best players England has ever produced in Wayne Rooney and he showed how great he still is on the ball."