Phillips’ header gives Derby huge win

Nat Phillips’ first Derby goal ensured that The Rams beat Hull City 1-0 in a scrappy six-pointer on Humberside.

Eustace’s side were unchanged following Monday’s victory at West Brom and secured consecutive away wins for the first time all season in their final game on the road.

The Rams had dropped into the relegation zone following securing a deserved three points for Luton at home to Coventry, which coupled with The Rams’ win, sees The Tigers occupy 22nd-place going into the final day.

Rubén Sellés’ side came out of the blocks quickly, forcing a corner in the first minute. In fact, they maintained 85 per cent of possession throughout the first ten minutes, The Tigers fans roaring for their side to find a killer instinct.

But a four-minute stoppage for Regan Slater’s injury halted the hosts’ momentum. Even though it culminated with Jerry Yates slipping as he looked to reach Craig Forsyth’s header, Derby’s first opening soon came.

Arguably, that sums up a first half lacking cutting edge quite well.

The Rams’ best attacking outlet was Kane Wilson, the right wing back pushing up in possession to leave a back four. But he was tackled by Sean McLoughlin before he could shoot in the 29th minute, and multiple teasing balls into the danger area weren’t met by teammates.

Derby’s only shot of the half came through Harrison Armstrong and was deflected behind for a corner. But the set piece was cleared only as far as the Everton youngster who dribbled into the box before appearing to be fouled, but Stephen Martin showed Armstrong the yellow card.

The Tigers’ best chance came when centre back John Egan auditioned for Hull FC by firing over the bar from 25 yards in stoppage time.

Wilson continued to threaten for Derby after the break, Pandur having to claw away his cross-stroke-shot from the right-hand side of the box before Ebou Adams woefully misjudged the rebound.

Up the other end, Abu Kamara was denied by a superb challenge from Forsyth before Joe Gelhardt, wasted two good chances with his left foot.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s 68th-minute introduction signalled that Eustace was looking to go for it, but there were soon heart-in-mouth moments after Ebou Adams, who dropped to a deeper midfield role, gifted the ball to Nordin Amrabat.  Fortunately for Derby, recoveries from Sondre Langås, still playing despite a knee injury, and Forsyth kept it goalless.

And then, with just over six minutes to play came a Derby free kick. 25 yards out, on the left flank. Craig Forsyth tasked, as he has been when playing at left wing back in recent weeks, with rolling the clock back a decade.

The Scotsman duly obliged, delivering a peach of a ball just beyond the penalty spot to be met by Phillips, who rose highest to score a bullet header from nine yards out. Not a bad time to get his first Derby goal.

Analysis: Scrappy but still successful

Much like the trip to Swansea under Eustace, or, frankly, most away games under Paul Warne this season, this one was far from a classic. But this is not Strictly Come Dancing: there are no points for performance.

After a season of disappointment on the road, this was a game which showed again that Derby can scrap and find a way to win in a tense game on the road.

On the ball, the likes of Ebou Adams and Marcus Harness were disappointing, but worked hard out of possession again as The Rams maintained their disciplined shape that has become a hallmark of the Eustace era.

Josh Vickers remained assured in net, while Craig Forsyth continued his fine form marshalling Abu Kamara almost was well as he set up Nat Phillips’ goal. The Liverpool loanee has been a colossus in both boxes, the only surprise is that it has taken until now for him to score.

And then there is Kane Wilson, who it seemed was even more attack-minded on Humberside, driving into space vacated by McLoughlin time and again.

Given that ten games ago, The Rams were seven points from safety, it has been quite the turnaround. The 20 points they have gained since then is the third-highest figure in the league, while victory over Stoke would mean that John Eustace has won as many league games with Derby this season as Paul Warne did.

But how does it stand ahead of the final day?

Cardiff are mathematically confirmed to have been relegated, while Plymouth, sat two points behind Hull and three points behind Derby, need a miracle given their -36 goal difference.

Only a win will guarantee Derby survival on Saturday, but The Rams’ superior goal difference means that Hull, Luton and Preston would all need to win for a draw to relegate Eustace’s side.

So, how are your nerves? It all comes down to Saturday Lunchtime, when Derby host Stoke.