The Rams continued to put the ghosts of last season’s away form to rest on Saturday with a resounding three goal win over Yeovil Town. Last weekend despite pounding at the door, Derby struggled to break down the Foxes but there were no such problems this time round as they regularly sliced open their newly promoted opposition.
Travelling fans would have been beginning to worry that they may be in for a repeat of last years regular - play well for no spoils scenario - as the Rams were all over the home team early for no result.
Chris Martin fired narrowly over the crossbar in the opening minutes and shortly after Johnny Russell shot wide from the edge of the box.
Yeovil were being torn to pieces by the Rams passing game which forced a change of formation as the home team tried to stem the flow. A midfield wall of five was still unable to contain Hendrick, Bryson and Hughes who were running the show with some slick, crisp passing that would have delighted Nigel Clough.
As the game entered the 40th minute it seemed that all of the Rams good work would amount to nothing more than goalless draw at half time.
These concerns were alleviated when Keogh slid a great ball through to Russell - who showed the class he has promised in patches this season - to curl the ball past Yeovil keeper Hennessey from close range.
Travelling fans had little time to get over their excitement when the Rams doubled their lead not two minutes later. Russell and Martin were brilliant as a passing tour de force resulted in Craig Bryson running onto the spoils to take the goal. Nigel Clough later said that the Rams would be doing well to score a better team goal this season!
Yeovil were reeling - and if it was not for a lucky save by Hennesy who got a foot to a Jamie Ward effort - they would have found themselves 3-0 down at the break. Instead it was 2 goals to the good for the Rams as their good work in the first 45 had finally paid off.
Yeovil came out determined to make an impact in the second half but despite fighting hard — Derby were still a class above which was confirmed on 58 minutes when Ward unleashed a 25-yard screamer that Hennessey could only knock away allowing Martin to pounce and score.
The Rams stood firm over the last half hour as Keogh and Buxton answered some recent criticism with some fine defending while Lee Grant showed why Nigel Clough has such faith in him - as he saved any chance of a late comeback via a Liam Davis fireball.
A late penalty shout and a multitude of corners did nothing to weaken the Rams resolve - as for the second time this season they returned to Pride Park with 3 points.
An encouraging performance from the Rams that shows what they will do to teams if they are allowed to play the game they want. Nigel Clough had his critics last week amongst fans but on balance Derby have played very good football so far this season and definitely look the best overall team fielded by the club for many seasons.
If they can apply this type of football with a style that does not allow teams to break them down as Leicester did a week ago — the Rams look on track to worry a lot of teams this season and finally make a genuine run at a play-off position.
Ram's Reaction:
Speaking to the official site - Nigel Clough was very pleased with his team’s efforts:
"We’re delighted with the win, the performance and a clean sheet and it’s fair to say it was a very good team performance. We had a lot of the ball today but it wasn’t until just before half-time that things really clicked for us. We then showed two real moments of quality to go in at the break 2-0 up and that proved to be a key spell of the game for us.”
"Good teams do that; get a goal before half-time and try to get another one to really put daylight between the teams. We knew Yeovil’s confidence might have been a little bit down after back-to-back defeats so those two goals in quick succession were important. You have to make teams pay if you have that much possession, especially away from home, and we did that today.”
"The goals we scored, particularly the second one, were good team ones and we’re looking forward to watching them back. Our passing and movement was outstanding today and it was great to watch. Yeovil is not an easy place to come by any means and we’re pleased to have won the game in the manner that we did.”
"Despite the result today they will cause teams in the Championship a lot of problems this season and they didn’t get promoted by luck, they are a good side. We had to dig in at times and get a clean sheet, which was important for the defence and goalkeeper who have deserved one in our previous matches. The two centre-backs were outstanding and won their headers and blocks when it really mattered.”
"Now we need to get a couple of wins at Pride Park; it’s not going to be as easy this year because teams are coming and shutting up shop against us — but it’s down to us to deal with that.”
Johnny Russell was just as pleased plus thankful of his manager’s faith:
"But the second was even better. We kept the ball really well, there was a great bit of play on the edge of box and it was a nice finish from (Craig) Bryson who showed real composure. I feel as though I am settling in more every game. I still get frustrated with myself because I know there is a lot more I can do and a lot more I can give. But the Gaffer has spoken to me because I got a bit down after the Brighton game; I was frustrated with myself because I thought it was a very poor game from me. He took me aside and told me to relax and that really helped, and from then on I think I have settled down.”
Match Info:
Ref: Keith Hill
Crowd: 7047
Possession: Yeovil 50%- Derby 50%
Corners: Yeovil 8 — Derby 6
Shots On Target: Yeovil 3 — Derby 7
Shots Off Target: Yeovil 3 — Derby 4
Fouls: Yeovil 14 — Derby 14
Yellow Cards: Yeovil 1 — Derby 2
Teams:
Derby County : Grant (GK); Freeman, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Bryson, Hughes, Hendrick (Eustace 63’), Ward (Coutts 70’), Russell (Sammon 80’), Martin. Subs not used: Legzdins (GK), Smith, Jacobs, Davies.
Goals: Johnny Russell (42), Craig Bryson (45), Chris Martin (58)
Yeovil
Town
:
Hennessey (GK); Ayling, Webster, Seaborne, Tate (Williams 46’); Dawson, Edwards, Upson, Ralls (Grant 82’), Davis; Ngoo (Madden 46’). Subs not used: Dunn (GK), McAllister, Hoskins, Hayter.
Match Highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nqpF6sRpFQ
Next Up For Derby :
Derby vs. Brentford - League Cup
Tuesday August 27th - 7:45pm