Derby County claimed their fifth Sky Bet Championship home
victory in a row as the Rams put two past Stoke City on Easter Monday.

A close-run first half ended with the contest deadlocked, but substitute Jaydon Banel put Derby ahead with a close-range finish in the 54th minute – his first for the club.

Carlton Morris completed the scoring in the 89th minute with a poacher’s finish inside the six-yard box to mark his 11th goal of the season and first since returning from injury.

Key Moments

The first exchange of the match saw the Rams forced to defend as the visitors had a long throw and two corners in quick succession, before a battle in the air saw Derby clear their lines.

Agyemang had the most promising opening after 12 minutes when he burst down the left channel and saw his blocked cross win a corner.

The resulting set piece was aimed at Carlton Morris, as his near-post flick went goalwards but was seen away after ricocheting off Dion Sanderson, who was in a tussle with a Stoke defender.

Morris was agonisingly close once more three minutes later. Derry Murkin delivered a pinpoint cross that bounced onto the volley of Morris from 10 yards out, which he blasted onto the post.

The striker then came near to playing provider when he swept Brereton Díaz into a one-on-one with shot-stopper Gavin Bazunu in the Rams’ next attack, but the goalkeeper was quick off his line and claimed the ball before a shot could be taken.

Lewis Travis’ long ball was knocked on by Bobby Clark and nearly bore fruit in the 23rd minute. Morris bore down on goal but, once again, he was denied with his outstretched effort shown out for a corner.

Derby’s attacking dominance continued as Brereton Díaz had a long-range effort blocked and then Clark squared a cross into Morris after the Rams recycled possession. The striker laid off back to the Chilean for a shot that was blocked in the box again.

John Eustace was forced into making his first substitution after 40 minutes when Patrick Agyemang’s landing following a high ball saw him required to be taken off, and Jaydon Banel replaced him.

Weaving and turning from David Ozoh in the added time of the first period came close to breaking the deadlock after he burst into the box after running onto a knock on by Clark, but he was blocked by Ashley Phillips at the near post – with the game going into the break goalless.

HALF-TIME: Derby County 0-0 Stoke City

Derby continued their pressure into the second half, as Murkin just missed a volley at the back post on the Rams’ first attack and then had a penalty appeal waived away.

The crucial goal came in the 54th minute when Clark delivered a left-footed cross that came off Morris, and Banel controlled with his right foot before aiming into the bottom corner with a low left-footed strike that was out of Bazunu’s reach.

Stoke’s best chance came in the 60th minute. Wing play from Jesurun Rak-Sakyi allowed him to square the ball to an onrushing Tatsuki Seko, but the Japanese midfielder could only send his effort high over the crossbar.

The Rams could have doubled their lead when Clark tried an audacious volley in the 64th minute. A free-kick from deep was headed into his path on the edge of the penalty area, and he unleashed a sidewinder volley that struck the upright of the goal frame.

Again, the Rams were just inches away from doubling their advantage
when Brereton Díaz tried a first-time effort from Morris’ cross from the left,
with the ball bouncing just wide of the mark.

Pressing from Ozoh saw him, and Clark burst into the box and had chances to shoot, but the Potters’ defence held firm, with Phillips blocking well.

The away side aimed to threaten with a fast break in the 82nd minute, when Million Manhoef found space down the right flank and swung in a ball to striker Sam Gallagher, but he was swiftly closed down from the tight angle and fired wide.

Hold up play in the far corner saw Derby claim a second as Brereton Díaz switched gear to play Clark into the box, and he burst past a defender to pass to Morris, who converted and finally gave Derby the cushion they deserved.

Teams

Derby County: O’Donnell (GK), Murkin, Clarke, Agyemang (Banel 40), Morris (Salvesen 90+2), Ozoh (Fraulo 80), Ward, Brereton Díaz (Johnston 90+2), Travis (C), Sanderson, Clark (Allen 90+2).

Unused Substitutes: J Thompson (GK), Forsyth, Langås, L Thompson.

Stoke City: Bazunu (GK), Thomas, Seko, Nzonzi (C) (Baker 63), Bocat, Lawal, Rigo (Jun-ho 36 (Smit 79)), Rak-Sakyi, Phillips, Cissé (Gallagher 46), Agina (Manhoef 63).

Substitutes: Simkin (GK), Cresswell, Pearson, Gibson.

Attendance

31,095 (3,070 Away Supporters)

Next Fixture

Derby will be back out on the road when they travel to St. Mary’s Stadium to face Southampton in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday, 11th April (3pm kick-off).