It’s been a long time coming. Derby County have recorded consecutive wins for the first time since September after a 2-0 victory over Coventry City, which leaves them just a point from safety.
Matt Clarke’s 23rd minute header prompted a chorus of “They docked us 21 points…” What was once a chant of defiance, had again embodied real hope. Rams fans sounded like they believed that they can stay up.
Derby put in a performance full of “heart and desire” according to boss John Eustace as a heavily depleted side ensured that former boss Frank Lampard’s return to a raucous Pride Park ended in defeat.
Looking to build on his side’s first win of 2025 against Blackburn last Saturday, Eustace stuck with the 5-3-2 of sorts, making just two changes – both enforced – Ryan Nyambe back in for Kane Wilson, and Matt Clarke replacing the injured Sondre Langås.
The visitors started on the front foot, Matt Clarke making a crucial sliding tackle to prevent Ellis Simms running through on goal, while tricky Japanese winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto caused no end of problems for the left-hand side of Derby’s defence.
As the first 45 approached its half-way point, Derby started to threaten on the break, Ebou Adams embracing a freer, attack-minded role, moving wide to make runs down the right in place of Wilson, which led to Liam Thompson scooping a volley wide.
Though when Derby took the lead in the 23rd minute, it was still against the run of play. After Adams was fouled on the overloaded right flank, Harness whipped the free kick which Matt Clarke headed in at the back post for his first goal since rejoining The Rams in January.
Ahead for the second game in a row, Derby fans were enjoying every moment. They were undeterred as Simms was played in behind, only to be denied by Jacob Widell Zetterström, who would soon push Victor Torp’s free kick wide.
Continuing to dictate the game, the visitors looked for a leveller before the break, Milan Van Ewijk overlapping Sakamoto as the duo combined to play in Torp down the inside right, whose effort was turned onto the post and behind.
The Rams threatened with a right-sided overload from second half kick-off and got their second goal just three minutes in. Yates played a smart one-two with Adams, before being adjudged to have just kept the ball in and playing it back across the box. Callum Elder was first to have a go, his scuffed effort falling to Harness, who slotted a low shot under Oliver Dovin.
Derby coaches and fans alike were up in arms when the already booked Jake Bidwell wasn’t shown a second yellow for a foul on Adams. This was very nearly channelled into a third goal as The Rams skipper found Marcus Harness, who got his angles wrong from 15 yards on the hour mark.
As the game approached it’s final ten minutes, Coventry were pushing Derby back, forcing Eustace’s side to defend deep in their box, but the hosts then broke at pace.
Adams saw a tame header not trouble the goalkeeper after good play from Harrison Armstrong and Yates, who linked up again with four minutes to play, the latter juggling the ball before Dovin just about caught Elder’s deflected effort.
Analysis: Spirit, discipline and the right-sided overload
The stats may not look as though Derby were good value for their victory, but they did exactly what they set up to do. A Coventry side who had won nine of their last 10 league games were always likely to have more of the ball considering Frank Lampard’s preference for a possession-based style of play, but The Rams were spirited, and well-organised in response, while always being ready to pounce on the counter.
It’s the perfect way to deal with a possession-heavy, promotion-chasing team when you are struggling.
In the post-match press conference, John Eustace praised his side for their “never say die attitude” saying that he felt comfortable once in front. The former midfielder was pleased with how his players took messages on, most impressed with their heart, desire and organisation.
It’s all fair analysis, yet again, this was a performance where the team stepped up and pulled together, even with a couple of players in less usual roles.
Marcus Harness had, in my opinion, arguably his best game in a Derby shirt, dropping into space in the inside left channel he looked a real threat, and could have had a second goal, as well as his assist. Likewise, Jerry Yates went off to rapturous applause having worked hard in both drifting wide and linking play.
Eustace had plaudits for the “outstanding” Matt Clarke, and Ryan Nyambe who “played very, very well” at wing back too.
Throughout the game much of Derby’s success came down the right flank, Ebou Adams drifting wide to make driving runs down the flank, which created a number of openings. With Ryan Nyambe a less offensive-minded right back than Kane Wilson, who Eustace spoke of the importance of resting, I asked him about this tweak which led to the second goal and allowed Adams to replace Wilson’s output.
He said: “[Adams has] got that pace and power to get us up the pitch.
“Obviously were looking for solutions of how to score more goals, and he allows us to get up the pitch.
“So that’s something from a tactical point of view we’ve looked at, and in the last few games he’s been very, very good at it."
While some had questioned Adams’ technical ability, he was immense in this role, optimising the heart, desire and energy that was on display, while playing some dangerous balls into the box. Derby will need to continue this if they are to climb out of the bottom three – starting with the six-pointer away to bottom of the league Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.
Derby (5-3-2): Zetterström (GK); Nyambe, Phillips, Clarke, Forsyth, Elder; Adams (C), Armstrong, Thompson (Goudmijn 90+3’); Harness, Yates (Jackson 88’).
Substitutes not used: Vickers (GK), Wilson, Barkhuizen, Rooney, Hendrick, Eames, Agbawodikeizu.
Coventry (4-3-3): Dovin (GK); Van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching (C), Bidwell (Mason-Clark 64’); Grimes, Torp, Eccles (Bassette 70’); Sakamoto, Simms (Dasilva 64’), Wright.
Substitutes not used: Wilson (GK), Collins (GK), Binks, Allen, Paterson, Latibeaudiere.
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