The Coventry Building Society Arena
Derby County came second best in a back-and-forth contest against league leaders Coventry City on Good Friday.
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After a battling start from both sides, Frank Onyeka gave Coventry the advantage in the 12th minute with an unorthodox goal from out wide.
But Derby restored parity when Matt Clarke’s superb intervention saw him provide a cross that Ben Brereton Díaz buried with his head in the 38th minute.
Jack Rudoni then struck twice, either side of a Brereton Díaz penalty, to see the hosts in a winning position by the 80th minute that they held onto.
Brereton Díaz and Clark linked up for Derby in the early stages, with Clark being slipped into an advantageous position for a left-footed shot from an angle, but his low effort was thwarted by a strong defensive block.
Coventry took the lead after 12 minutes, when Onyeka hit a right-footed cross-cum-strike from the right flank that flew out of the reach of goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell and into the far side of the goal.
Chasing from David Ozoh turned over the ball and saw the Rams force a corner in the 23rd minute, Carlton Morris doing well on the left to forge the chance, but the corner was well-collected by goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.
Strong recovery work from Dion Sanderson denied an onrushing Ellis Simms for the Sky Blues a minute later. Joe Ward had put in a pinpoint cross, but an advantageous bounce allowed Coventry to fashion a quick breakaway.
Brereton Díaz and Clark again provided a strong outlet for the Rams in the 28th minute, but the attempted cross at the end of the move was cleared.
Excellent footwork by Brereton Díaz nearly bore fruit again as he ghosted beyond Jay Dasilva and allowed Clark to cut inside for an effort that defender Bobby Thomas blocked on its way towards the goal.
Derby got their reward in the 38th minute as Matt Clarke surged down the left flank, beating a defender before delivering a perfect cross to a space at the back post, into which Brereton Díaz emerged to head the Rams back level.
Jaydon Banel appeared certain to give Derby the lead in added time at the end of the first period. The winger pressed the ball and stole in on a mistake to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper. But Rushworth got out quickly to smother the shot.
Banel was the first to have a chance again in the second period as he charged into space, but again the Coventry defence came out on top.
After a physical contest saw Coventry hold possession for the majority of the half, Rudoni regained the hosts’ lead in the 68th minute.
Excellent work from Brereton Díaz allowed him to win and convert from the penalty spot in the 76th minute.
But the hosts were again persistent and claimed back their advantage with a quick attack after the restart that Rudoni profited from.
The Rams pushed as the game went deep into added time, with a Patrick Agyemang cross aiming to trouble Rushworth, but being saved.
The United States international also had an opportunity with the final effort of the match as he latched onto a header following a Ward long throw, but he couldn't find the target and Coventry took the win.
Coventry City: Rushworth (GK), Dasilva, Thomas, Grimes (C), Sakamoto, Simms (Wright 63), Esse (Mason-Clark 63), Kitching, Onyeka, Van Ewijk, Eccles (Rudoni 63).
Unused Substitutes: Wilson (GK), Rudoni, Mason-Clark, Wright, Bidwell, Markelo, Woolfenden, Torp.
Derby County: O’Donnell (GK), Murkin, Clarke, Morris (Agyemang 65), Ozoh (Allen 86), Ward, Brereton Díaz, Travis (C), Sanderson, Banel (Fraulo 72), Clark.
Unused Substitutes: Price (GK), Forsyth, Batth, L Thompson, I Gordon, Smith.
The Rams will head back to Pride Park Stadium as they welcome Stoke City in the Sky Bet Championship on Easter Monday (3pm kick-off).
