Derby County’s dominant performance at Pride Park Stadium was rewarded with all three points against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League 2 Division 1 fixture.
The Rams put on an outstanding display to cruise to their third consecutive victory in the league to move to second, a point behind leaders Everton.
Derby had to be patient for their goal, but a second-half stunner from Max Bird secured the three points under the lights.
The young Rams completely dominated the first 45 minutes with the ball rarely finding its way back into their half. Early on, Aaron Eyoma and Jayden Mitchell-Lawson were establishing themselves in front of the visitor’s goal.
Eyoma whipped in a cross to midfielder Louie Sibley inside ten minutes and the youngster fired from just inside the area to send Brandon Austin diving to the right to palm it out. Off the resulting corner, Derby continued their attack and this time Eyoma tried his luck from inside the box. He latched on to a cross by Mitchell-Lawson but his attempt was blocked by his younger brother Timothy Eyoma.
Mitchell-Lawson than glanced an effort just wide.
Spurs created their first chance with just minutes left in the half when Troy Parrott made a run down the left before crossing in to Jack Roles but young centre-back Lee Buchanan was there to meet his shot.
The Rams had one more chance to take a deserved lead at the break when George Thorne delivered his corner kick into the box. Calum Macdonald rose highest but couldn’t angle his header down enough.
Tottenham made two changes early in the second-half looking to force their way into the game. While the Rams still enjoyed the lions share of possession the chances weren’t as abundant as they were in the first-half.
The visitors called Kelle Roos into action for the first time just after the hour mark when substitute J’Neil Bennett fired a low effort from the right causing Roos to dive to deny him.
The Rams got what they were looking for 15 minutes from time and captain Max Bird’s goal was worth the wait. The midfielder unleashed from the edge of the box and there was nothing Austin could do as the shot rattled off the crossbar and into the back of the net.
It looked as though that goal was the opening of the floodgates as moments later Cameron Cresswell weaved into the box before feeding substitute Kyle McAllister at the right post, forcing a strong save by the Spurs ‘keeper. It was then Bird again that broke into the box, but his shot glanced wide.
Spurs couldn't find an answer and the Rams moved to second in the Premier League 2 Division 1.
Derby County: Roos, Anya, Macdonald, Thorne, Pearce, Buchanan, Mitchell-Lawson (McAllister, 73), Bird, Cresswell, Sibley, Eyoma (Shonibare, 82)
Unused Subs: Karic, Barnes, Hunt,
Tottenham Hotspur: Austin, Hinds (Oakley-Boothe, 46), Brown, Eyoma, Tanganga, Marsh, Duncan, Bowden (Bennett, 57), Parrott, Maghoma, Roles
Unused Subs: Glover, Dinzeyi, Reynolds,