Morris goal seals QPR win

Of all the travelling fanbases, QPR know have three words, in relation to that day at Wembley in 2014, which could particularly irritate the Pride Park faithful.

So, there could hardly have been a better day for Derby to make that long-awaited fast start.

Building on the momentum of the second half versus Norwich in midweek, The Rams lined up in a 3-4-2-1, with Sondre Langås making his first start of the season. This shape again provided Eustace’s side with a great balance, which saw them come flying out of the blocks.

Patrick Agyemang was a handful from the off. A real enforcer down the left, he won a corner inside two minutes, triggering a smattering of crosses which Julien Stéphan’s side were required to block.

In the absence of the injured Lewis Travis, and suspended Ebou Adams, Carlton Morris was skipper for the day. He really did lead from the front, showing his striker’s instincts to put Derby ahead.

After another corner was cleared, the ball was hoisted back into the box by Max Johnston to Langås at the near post. His sliding effort might have made its way in. But Morris was never going to leave it to chance.

From two feet out, he prodded the ball over the line. Derby had lift off.

Now a goal to the good, Eustace’s men remained camped in the QPR half, pressing from the front to fashion opportunities. First Morris glanced a header wide from Johnston’s cross, before Ben Brereton Díaz prodded Elder’s cross goalwards at the near post to work Paul Nardi in net.

By the first-half’s midway point, the visitors had their first real spell of possession, but their attacking efforts were fairly toothless. Richard Kone’s blocked shot was about as futile as the efforts of one fan to get the press box joining in with the play-off-final-related chants.

But QPR’s possession allowed Derby to break, Agyemang again bulldozing his way down the flank as the leader of the flock in transition. No one could keep up with the number seven, including his team-mates, meaning that he was forced into a shot from a tight angle which Nardi would push clear.

Off the ball, the hosts sat deep, packing their box. But it worked; they saw out the first half without facing another shot, despite the ball populating their defensive third in the final minutes.

The second half got off to a quieter start until a couple of Derby free kicks just after the hour mark.

First Max Johnston, who would later go off with a hamstring injury, hit the far post from a tight angle - his effort was akin to Joe Ward’s goal in the Carabao Cup. Then Brereton Díaz hits the post after getting on the end of Callum Elder’s delivery.

Another chance for a second went begging in the 77^th minute, with Jackson’s cross just missed by Brewster and Morris. Meanwhile Derby were defending their box resiliently, the back three wracking up 31 defensive contributions between them.

Julien Stéphan’s side just could not break through: oh, for Bobby Zamora.

Analysis: Clark and Ozoh run the show

To think that there were concerns that the midfield would be too lightweight without Lewis Travis or Ebou Adams.

In the middle of the park, David Ozoh and Bobby Clark played with maturity beyond their years, helping both to break up play, and leading the charge in terms of ball progression.

As John Eustace pointed out: “You've got to remember Bobby Clark's playing in the middle of a pitch: he's a 10 or an 11.”

But even in an unfamiliar role, he managed to bring those creative abilities, with the joint-most shot-creating actions and most progressive carries. All while making more recoveries (10) than any other player, and making being the only Derby player to complete multiple tackles in the defensive third.

Ozoh too, brought composure on the ball, completing more dribbles and take-ons than any other player while also being characteristically strong off the ball.

Able to operate at wing back from the off, Callum Elder and Max Johnston provided strong threat on the flanks. Elder was another creative outlet, joining Clark in making the most shot-creating actions (4) and completing the most progressive passes (6).

Johnston had his best game in a Derby shirt. Freed from the defensive shackles of a full back role, he looked much more dangerous. As well as a handful of dangerous deliveries, he drove his side up the pitch. Most notably though, it was his ball that led to the goal, and he was inches away from scoring himself – let’s hope his injury isn’t a long one.

And all of this can only be a good thing for Carlton Morris, now back in the goals, who had, at times, looked starved of service.

It feels like things are coming together… what a difference a week makes.

Derby (3-4-2-1): Zetterström; Langås, Sanderson, Clarke; Johnston (Nyambe 88’), Clark, Ozoh, Elder; Brereton Díaz (Jackson 72’), Agyemang (Brewster 72’), Morris (C) (Salvesen 90+2’).

Unused Substitutes: Vickers (GK); Batth; Thompson, Weimann.

QPR (4-2-3-1) Nardi (GK); Dunne, Cook, Mbengue, Norrington-Davies (Field 75’); Madsen (Smyth 68’), Varane; Saitō (Dembélé 46’), Kone (Frey 68’), Vale (Chair 46’); Burrell.

Unused Substitutes: Hamer (GK); Morrison; Hayden, Morgan.