Derby County secured their second win in a row at Pride Park Stadium inside four days with a spirited 2-0 success over in-form Coventry City in the Sky Bet Championship on Tuesday night.
Matt Clarke’s header put Derby in the lead within 23 minutes and Marcus Harness doubled the Rams’ advantage three minutes into the second half.
Derby held onto their lead with a hardy defensive display to pick up maximum points and build on Saturday's 2-1 home win over Blackburn Rovers.
Key Moments
The game started steadily at Pride Park with both sides battling for the ball in the middle of the field, and neither able to stamp their authority.
Derby’s first chance came when Ryan Nyambe crossed in from the right early on but neither Jerry Yates nor Harness were able to connect with the ball.
Clarke put the Rams ahead in the 23rd minute when he latched onto a Harness free-kick from the right flank to head in at the back post.
Moments later, Derby goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström was called upon as he dove to his left to deny Ellis Simms - and keep Derby in front.
Liam Thompson drove down the right flank and to the byline, his cross just evaded the head of Callum Elder and Coventry cleared their lines in the 33rd minute.
John Eustace’s side had the perfect start to the second half as Harness netted to give them a two-goal cushion.
A neat one-two between Ebou Adams and Yates allowed the striker to find Elder in the box. The defender played in Harness, who steered the ball home from yards out.
Derby worked the ball well down the right, as they kept the pressure on the visitors. Adams slotted the ball through to Harness on the edge of the box, the 29-year-old shot first time but dragged his effort wide of goal.
Milan Van Ewijk tried his luck from 25 yards out for the visitors, but Clarke was there to block the effort and Derby were able to get the ball away as their defence remain steadfast.
Substitute Jay Dasilva crossed in from the left for Coventry in the 66th minute, but Craig Forsyth was first to react and headed the ball behind for a corner.
The Rams did well to move the ball from side to side in the final third through Harness, Yates and Adams in the hopes to carve open a clear cut chance but the visitors were eventually able to clear the ball long.
Eustace made his first change of the evening in the 87th minute as Kayden Jackson replaced Jerry Yates up top.
Zetterström was called into action once more in the final moments of the game as he saved a header that was destined for the back of the net.
Derby saw the game out well to claim back-to-back wins for the second time this term.
Team News
Derby County: Zetterström (GK), Nyambe, Phillips, Clarke, Forsyth, Elder, Adams (C), Armstrong, Thompson (Goudmijn 90+3), Harness, Yates (Jackson 88).
Substitutes Not Used: Vickers (GK), Wilson, Rooney, Barkhuizen, Hendrick, Eames, Agbawodikeizu.
Coventry City: Dovin (GK), Thomas, Grimes, Sakamoto, Simms (Mason-Clark 64), Wright, Kitching (C), Bidwell (Dasilva 64), Van Ewijk, Eccles (Bassette 71), Torp.
Substitutes Not Used: Collins (GK), Wilson, Binks, Allen, Paterson, Latibeaudiere.
Referee: Sam Allison
Assistant Referee: George Byrne
Fourth Official: Robert Madley
Attendance
28,079 (3,121 Coventry City supporters)
What's Next?
The Rams will hit the road once again as they head to Home Park to face Plymouth Argyle at Home Park in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday 15th March (3pm kick-off).
Words: Hannah Walker
