Derby County claimed back-to-back victories with an impressive 2-0 win over Preston North End in the Sky Bet Championship at Pride Park Stadium.
It was Frank Lampard’s side’s second win of the week and the only thing he could be critical about of the first was not taking enough chances. That was certainly addressed against the Lilywhites.
The Rams picked up as they left off on Tuesday night, pushing forward and asserting their dominance. Mason Mount coolly fired to give Derby the lead in the first-half and assisted Richard Keogh in the second-half when he sealed the victory with a fine header.
It was the well-organised visiting side that got the first shot off. Lukas Nmecha looked to put Preston ahead after 10 minutes, but it was an easy save for Scott Carson who quickly got down on to the Man City loan player’s scuffed shot.
That called the Rams into action as straight down the other end Jayden Bogle sprinted into the right side of the box. The 18-year-old has already proven he can handle senior football and did so again as he danced around Andrew Hughes. Having beat the defender, Bogle found Mason Bennett in a central position, but his fellow academy products’ shot was deflected.
Minutes later, Bogle showed off his speed as he made a break down the right flank. However, with limited options for Bogle, Declan Rudd met him to scoop up the danger.
After half an hour, Preston looked to break the deadlock when Josh Harrop’s low cross found Callum Robinson, who’s shot forced Carson to dive and palm it away.
The Rams’ patience paid off just before the beak when Mount netted his second league goal of the season. David Nugent crossed into the young midfielder from the right. Mount was able to beat Paul Huntington to give himself a moment to set up his strike. Mount fired from inside the area to beat Rudd and put the Rams ahead.
The goal seemed to galvanise the home side even more and Lampard certainly got his wish of taking more chances in the final few minutes of the half. Andre Wisdom, who replaced Bogle who picked up a knock after half an hour, found a space to get off a low shot that was just wide. Bennett also saw a great opportunity, but his close-range shot was blocked by Ben Davies.
Nugent ended the half with a shot that fired over when he collected a pass from Craig Forsyth at the near post.
The break did nothing to hinder the Rams’ momentum as Bennett saw back-to-back chances to open the half. Nugent played the ball through to Bennett in the right of the box but a good instinctive save by Rudd saw Bennett denied. Two minutes later the young forward had another go but this time his shot was wide.
Preston, still looking for a way back in to the game almost found it after an hour, when Burke struck from the left of the area. His low effort flew across goal and wide.
Derby’s on-loan youngsters from Chelsea were close to doubling the Rams’ lead 10 minutes later when Mount’s corner bent perfectly looking for Fikayo Tomori at the far post. But Rudd jumped into grab the threat, knocking the central defender out the way.
It was his Tomori’s fellow central-defender to get the second goal as Derby’s pressure proved too much for Preston to handle. Mount again with the corner, found Keogh at the far post and the experienced defender rose higher than Huntington to fire in a powerful header.
Florian Jozefzoon, having just replaced Bennett, curved the ball beautifully from the edge of the box but it was just wide. The damage was done for Preston as the Rams claimed their second victory this week.
Mason Bennett in not afraid of hard work which makes him a perfect fit for Frank Lampard's work-rate driven side.
The young forward did what was asked of the team and took chance after chance and was never far from the action.
Next week Derby have a double-header at KCOM Stadium, facing Hull City twice in five days. On Tuesday the Rams will meet the Tigers in the Carabao Cup Second Round Clash before resuming league play on Saturday looking to continue their winning ways into the international break.
Derby County: Carson; Bogle (Wisdom 30), Keogh (C), Tomori, Forsyth; Bryson, Mount, Ledley(Johnson 48); Bennett (Jozefzoon 80), Nugent, Lawrence
Unused Substitutes: Roos, Waghorn, Marriott, Lowe
Preston North End: Rudd; Fisher, Huntington, Davies, Hughes; Ledson, Pearson; Burke (Barkhuizen 68), Harrop, Robinson (Barkhuizen 68); Nmecha (Barker 68)
Unused Substitutes: Maxwell, Earl, Johnson, Storey
