Rams forward says he owed his team mates his two goals as he took his tally to 14 for the season
Chris Martin believes Derby County’s blistering 20-minute start against Brighton & Hove Albion was some of the best football the side have displayed this season.
The striker’s 13th and 14th goals of the season sandwiched a delightful Johnny Russell goal as the Rams struck three times early on against the Seagulls at the iPro Stadium this afternoon.
The result ensured that Steve McClaren’s side bounced back from their 2-0 defeat to Leeds United the week previous.
In the aftermath of the fixture, Martin admitted that he ‘owed’ his team mates two goals after finding the net for the first time since the 2-1 defeat to Brentford at the start of last month and believes the side showed how devastating they can be going forward.
Speaking to Rams Player, the 26-year-old said: “It was a good reaction (from the Leeds defeat), especially in the first 20 minutes. The game was effectively over at that point.
“Brighton came back into it and they had a good spell towards the end of the first half.
“They changed their shape slightly and they caused us a few problems, but in the end, we got a clean sheet and scored three good goals.
“All three involved good build up play, that’s what we are about. They gave us quite a lot of space, we pressed them high, won the ball and from that we can be devastating at times.
“All good teams have to have a reaction after a defeat, not many good teams lose two in a row.
“We reacted magnificently well and the first 20 minutes was some of the best stuff we have played this season.
“We had great energy, pressed them high up the pitch and they couldn’t deal with the pressure.
“I owed the lads a couple of goals. I haven’t scored for a while and I have missed a few good chances in the last few games.
“It was important to get back on to the score sheet, but the lads deserve full credit, I rely on them for the service.
“I have let them down in the last few games, but it was nice to get back on there and also get the three points. That’s the most important thing.”
After the bright start, the visitors grew into the game and penned the Rams in their own half for the remainder of the first 45 minutes as well as the early stages of the second half.
Martin, though, believes Derby always held Sami Hyppia’s side at arms length and was full of praise for the back line for remaining resilient to keep the clean sheet – citing their importance in their bid to remain at the top of the Sky Bet Championship.
“We didn’t quite keep the momentum going into the half time break,” He added.
“We didn’t consciously take our foot off the pedal, but that’s how it seemed to go.
“We got a bit frustrated and gave the ball away too many times and they got back into the game.
“That happens in the Championship. You are not going to have the whole 90 minutes and, at times, you are going to have to be resolute and defend.
“We defended very well, a lot of their play was in front us and they didn’t create too many chances.
“That’s credit to the lads at the back, it’s another clean sheet and that’s something we have been working a lot on.
“Going forward, it’s something we are going to need more if we are to maintain our position at the top.”