BLACKPOOL could not live with Derby County's pace, power and quality, according to Rams skipper Richard Keogh.
The Rams recovered from an early setback to thrash the Seasiders 5-1 at the newly-named iPro Stadium on Saturday.
Derby fell behind to Isaiah Osbourne's third-minute header and still trailed at half-time.
But Steve McClaren's men hit back in style after the break, with Chris Martin netting a hat-trick.
Craig Bryson was also on target and Keogh completed the scoring with his first goal of the season in added time.
"Obviously, it was nice to get an early goal in the second half," said the defender.
"That gave us momentum and once we got one, we knew we could get two.
"We swarmed all over them in the second half and they couldn't live with our pace, our power and our quality.
"When we got to 3-1 up, we demoralised them with our ball retention.
"Then they lost a bit of concentration – and we killed them again.
"Overall, it was a very good performance from us."
Keogh was pleased at how the Rams kept their composure after a frustrating opening period, in which they dominated but could not find a breakthrough.
"They scored an early goal but we didn't panic," he said. "We made sure we settled down.
"We had a couple of sloppy moments but, apart from that, I thought we passed the ball really well.
"When you dominate a first half like that and they've had one shot and scored, it is a bit frustrating.
"But the manager is a great believer in us not panicking.
"We know we can score goals in this League, with the players we've got.
"The manager told us at half-time to move the ball a bit quicker and make the pitch bigger.
"We did that and looked a real threat, which is why we scored five goals."
