Scott Parker was full of pride in his Burnley squad as they secured a big three points – and the bragging rights – at Ewood Park.

Parker hailed his players’ mentality to handle the “intense” atmosphere against their fierce rivals and make sure they got the job done.

“It is satisfying, relief as well to be fair,” he said. “Obviously, I have not been in here long and the game today being a local derby… I quickly realised when I first came in, it was what everyone was saying to me.

“I experienced that very early on in the season with the home day and certainly felt that today.

“From the minute we walked into the stadium, hostile place, intense atmosphere which local derbies bring. I am delighted that we managed to seal the three points.”

Zian Flemming timed his run to perfection to meet Bashir Humphreys’ cross for the winner, and Parker revealed it was something they had been working on.

“I was pleased with his positioning,” the Clarets chief added. “Sometimes in those moments, it is a bit new to him to we have been working on his positioning and where he needs to be arriving.

“Taking up that position, it is different to where he has been playing. He did everything we have been working on and speaking about.

“He is a lovely finisher and any number nine in the world, they want to be on the end of a 1-0 win and get the winning goal. He gets that today, it is pleasing.”

Parker admitted he wasn’t surprised by how tight the game turned out to be but was delighted that his side found the key moment.

“I explained to the players before the game and over the last couple of days, I have played in many derbies and sometimes they bring a different game,” he said.

“I didn’t expect the game to look any different to how it looked today. I always felt it was going to be a scrappy game from the sheer emotion of what it brought.

“I needed us to have calm heads, show our quality in certain moments and manage the game. Mentality was always going to be a major factor and today, like I have said many times, there is something about this group.

“For such a young group, when they need to go to places that are difficult, they seem to go there.

“The game was always going to be defined in one moment and we execute a lovely cross, a similar goal to the Sheffield United goal.

“After that, there is no denying at times we have to go to uncomfortable places. To a man, including the subs and people on the bench, they go there.”