John Eustace feels Derby could have won by bigger margin at Sheffield Wednesday

Derby boss John Eustace felt his side could have won by a bigger margin after a 3-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday lifted them into the top half of the Sky Bet Championship.

Patrick Agyemang’s clinical low finish gave Derby a half-time lead and after Liam Thompson doubled it soon after the restart, the USA striker lashed home his second as the Rams halted a three-game winless run.

Eustace, whose side climbed up to 12th in the table, four points adrift of the play-off places, said: “The game could have probably been out of sight really, with the amount of chances we had, and if the turnover or final pass or the finish was better.

“That would have been great, but in the second half I felt we controlled it a lot more.

“When we did get those opportunities, at least we were finishing the actions and getting corners and shots on target. So to win 3-0 is really pleasing.”

Eustace revealed Agyemang, who took his goals tally for Derby to five since signing from MLS side Charlotte FC for £7.3million in July, was disappointed not to have scored a hat-trick after being denied by Owls goalkeeper Pierce Charles’ excellent late save.

Eustace added: “He actually said to me, ‘I should have got the third’. You know, he was disappointed.

“But I’m delighted. The more goals he gets, obviously the better. The first finish was excellent. I didn’t think he was playing particularly well before that.

“But that finish for his first goal was a top finish and I’m so pleased for him to get the second. He still had to put it away. It’s a good poacher’s goal. His performances are getting stronger.”

Wednesday remain rooted to the foot of the table after their winless run was extended to 14 matches, while their wait for a first home league win of the season was also extended.

Head coach Henrik Pedersen admitted his players failed to reach the same physical levels and intensity that they had shown in recent matches.

The Dane said: “After the second goal you could see on the players, it was difficult for them. It was the belief that was lost.

“So a difficult evening where we didn’t reach the same level as we have done in the last three or four games.

“We delivered a fantastic, physical game (last week) against a very, very strong running (Watford) team, a dynamic team and today we didn’t reach the same physical level.

“And this is a base to make a top performance in the Championship and today we missed something to be able to do this.”