Derby County’s dominant second-half showing shut down Birmingham City as the Rams came from behind to defeat the Blues 3-1 at Pride Park Stadium.
The Rams struggled to find the net in the first-half after Lukas Jutkiewicz put the visitors ahead. However, an energetic and creative second-half from Derby ended Birmingham’s 11-game unbeaten run.
Mason Bennett came off the bench to bag his first goal of the season, just one minute later and Harry Wilson’s free-kick curled wonderfully to give the Rams the lead. Jack Marriott got in on the scoring action yet again to seal the three points.
The Rams got the first chance of the half as they took control of possession in the opening minutes. Richard Keogh had a close-range effort shoot over the crossbar after Jack Marriott flicked the ball over to the far post from a Derby corner.
With the Rams not able to capitalise, it was over to the visitors to open the scoring on their first attempt. Che Adams whipped in a cross from the left of the area to a waiting Lukas Lutkiewicz in the middle of the box and his volley slipped past Scott Carson.
The Rams fought against a well-organised Birmingham side to work out a handful of chances, spearheaded by a free-kick effort by Harry Wilson. Duane Holmes, in his first appearance at Pride Park was taken down outside the box and the Welsh wideman elected to take it. His effort from 25-yards went through the wall and was parried away by Lee Camp.
Two minutes later, Tom Lawrence latched on to a cross from Craig Forsyth who did well down the left flank to win the ball back and find Lawrence, but his shot was just wide. Although the Blues were doing well to fend off the Rams, it was the home side who carved out more chances.
Moments before the break, Wilson played Marriott through, but Camp equalled his close-range shot.
Derby raced out the blocks following the break and after nine minutes they were equal and after 10 they were ahead.
A comeback looked inevitable as the Rams opened the half pressing high as their game plan came to fruition. A minute in, Lawrence had a low drive saved after he was fed out to the to the left by Holmes.
The equaliser came from Bennett, who came off the bench to replace Martyn Waghorn after 15 minutes. After three assists on the season including providing late winners against Reading and Hull City, the academy product tapped in his first goal of the season from Forsyth’s low cross across goal.
Derby capitalised on the momentum just one minute later. Wilson’s free-kick from down the right side of the box curled wonderfully in and deflected past Camp to put the Rams on top.
The second-half goals kept coming and it was Marriott who pulled the Rams out of reach for the Blues. The forward sprinted through in the box and just had Camp to beat. He picked out his moment and his lethal strike found the back of the net again.
Wilson, with his third free-kick effort of the match, almost made it four for the Rams as he rattled his rocket attempt off the post.
Derby County: Carson; Bogle, Keogh (C), Davies, Forsyth; Waghorn (Bennett, 15), Wilson, Huddlestone, Holmes (Johnson, 90), Lawrence; Marriott (Jozefzoon, 90)
Unused Subs: Tomori, Roos, Nugent, Malone
Birmingham City: Camp; Colin, Morrison (C), Dean, Pederson; Jota, Kieftenbeld, G. Gardner, Mahoney; Jutkiewicz, Adams
Unused Subs: Roberts, C. Gardner, Solomon Otabor, Trueman, Lubala, Lakin, Harding
The Rams will be back in action at Pride Park Stadium next Saturday to host another West Midlands outfit. Derby will face Aston Villa for the final fixture before the third international break.
