Derby County's impressive Sky Bet League One form continued with a thumping 5-0 victory over Morecambe on Saturday afternoon.
James Collins and Jason Knight both scored after David McGoldrick had bagged himself his third hat-trick of the season in what was a fantastic afternoon at Pride Park.
The Rams started well forcing a flurry of corners which were defended well by the Shrimps before McGoldrick had the first real attempt of the match, firing just wide from around 20-yards out.
Mendez-Laing then forced Connor Ripley into a fine save with James Collins inches away from converting the follow up as the visitors scrambled clear.
Derek Adams' men were riding their luck in the opening 20 and survived another couple of corners in quick succession before McGoldrick again had an effort saved comfortably by Ripley.
Jason Knight dragged an effort wide from the edge of the box as the Rams continued to search for an opener before the break.
After a frantic start the game fell flat - that was until 45th minute when McGoldrick was able to open the scoring with a terrific free-kick.
Conor Hourihane rolled the ball to him on the edge of the box and the striker bent it brilliantly into the bottom right corner to give Derby the advantage at the break.
It was two almost immediately after the restart and it was that man McGoldrick again.
Haydon Roberts did brilliantly down the left and his low cross evaded everyone apart from Mendez-Laing who was waiting at the back post. The winger helped the ball back in and McGoldrick volleyed in for his and the Rams' second.
Morecambe were capitulating and gifted Derby a chance to make it three when James Collins was fouled in the area.
There was absolutely no doubt about who was going to step up for the penalty and Collins threw the ball straight to McGoldrick who was eagerly awaiting the ball on the spot.
Up he stepped and he slammed the ball straight down the middle to complete his third hat-trick of the season and all but cement the three points for Paul Warne's men.
It was just Ripley keeping the scoreline down at this point and he was forced into a couple of outstanding saves - first denying Roberts' low drive before then tipping over brilliantly to deny Collins at point-blank range.
There was no keeping it down when the Rams were awarded their second penalty of the day, though.
This time, the honours were given to strike partner Collins but the result was the same, back of the net and 4-0 Derby.
Everyone wanted in on the act and Knight was next up bagging the fifth and arguably the best of the lot.
Craig Forsyth picked the Irishman out brilliantly in the middle of the box, he took a touch and sat a Morecambe defender down before slotting past Ripley.
There was 20 minutes still to play at this point and the Rams were showing no signs of taking their foot off of the gas. Substitute Harvey White was inches away from getting a debut goal to his name when his goalbound effort was blocked by Korey Smith who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Lewis Dobbin forced Ripley into a great save before Tony Springett and Smith then saw their strikes on the rebound blocked on the line.
White saw an excellent free-kick well saved by Ripley in the final few minutes but 5-0 is how it remained as the Rams rounded off a memorable afternoon at Pride Park.
Attendance: 26,035 (819 Morecambe supporters)
Derby County: Wildsmith (GK), Forsyth, Hourihane (74' Thompson), Cashin, Collins, McGoldrick (68' White), Mendez-Laing (68' Barkhuizen), Smith, Roberts (74' Sibley), Dobbin, Knight (74' Springett)
Substitutes not used: McGee (GK), Davies
Morecambe: Ripley (GK), Love (C), Gibson, Rawson, Crowley (80' Bedeau), Stockton (80' Mellon), Gnahoua, Weir, Shaw (80' Austerfield), Mayor (85' Hunter), Simeu (80' Delaney)
Substitutes not used: Smith (GK), Cooney
The Rams are on the road next week as they travel to Buckinghamshire to take on Wycombe Wanderers in Sky Bet League One action (3pm kick-off).
