UPBEAT Sean Dyche declared his Burnley side “in great shape” for Sunday’s derby, after their Derby delight.

A 2-0 win over nearest promotion rivals County stretched their advantage in second spot to five points with 13 games to go.

Rams boss Steve McClaren felt second spot would not be decided on the outcome of Saturday’s game, and Dyche maintained their mission to take one game at a time.

But he recognised the value of the win for their next outing.

“The next one is obviously a very local big step against Blackburn. It’s fair to say we’re in great shape for it,” said Dyche, who felt the Clarets were full value for their win – even before Derby were reduced to 10 men before the break with a second yellow card for Chris Martin for what referee Robert Madley deemed a dive in the box.

“I thought we were very good again in the first half and there was a nice feel about the group, great energy – as ever – and a real quality feel about us as a side.

“We shifted the ball well, created chances and I felt we deserved at half-time to be up in the game.”

Burnley, who went ahead with David Jones’ first league goal of the season – a stunning dipping volley, had a one-man advantage for the whole second half.

Although Dyche noted a number of fouls committed by Martin before his initial booking, the Clarets boss had some sympathy for the Rams’ situation.

“I can imagine they’d be disappointed with it, and I’m probably thinking I would be,” he said.

“But overall I thought we had the better fist of it if I’m honest, I thought we were in good shape, and weirdly were better 11 v 11.”