3/1 To Win
Derby County returned to Pride Park Stadium to face Blackburn Rovers under the lights where they were forced to settle with a 0-0 draw.
The Rams recorded their first draw of the season after out-playing their opponent, but failed to convert on an abundance of chances.
Following Saturday’s game, Lampard wanted to see more urgency from his side, the urgency they showed in the closing stages against Rotherham when they were fighting to pull back a goal.
The Rams certainly had that urgency from the first whistle, completely dominating Blackburn and showing off Lampard’s philosophy on the pitch. The work-rate from before the international break was back, the brave team play to build opportunity after opportunity was there. The only thing missing was the goal.
Derby’s first look came very early on when David Nugent saw an opening as David Raya bobbled the ball just in front of the goal with his feet and the Rams striker chased him down. The opportunities kept rolling from there.
Soon after, Jayden Bogle, who began just as impressively as he ended the last outing, fired a perfect cross over to Mason Mount but his shot from 20-yards out was just over.
Rovers were extremely lucky to make it to the half-hour mark still level. Just before that point, Mount saw almost identical shots from the centre edge of the box tipped over within two minutes of each other. Both set pieces provided danger for Rovers. The first fell to Richard Keogh but his shot hit traffic in the box and the deflection found Bogle. However, his shot from range couldn’t make it through the bodies either.
The second corner was more of a dramatic affair with Tomori’s acrobatic attempt by the near post somehow being kept out.
Rovers continued to lack action on their attack as they were forced to direct their attention on preventing the Rams’. Arguably Mount’s best chance of many came from a free-kick that Florian Jozefzoon won after being taken down by Ryan Nyambe down the left flank. Mount’s effort from 35-yards bent beautifully just shy of the top right corner.
Blackburn saw more time in the final third in the closing minutes than they had so far for the entire first-half, as Derby had their first challenge on defence. The Rams held strong, however, and denied Rovers even the opportunity to muster up a chance.
Following the break, another Mount free-kick put Blackburn in danger, but Raya got a strong hand on his effort to bat it away.
Tony Mobray’s side looked sharper to begin the second-half as evidenced by Bradley Dack just before the hour mark when he managed to slip around Scott Carson, but under-pressure and at a tight angle he caught the side netting. Carson was the called into action again moments later after a quiet night, but it was a comfortable save to deny Corry Evans’ low shot from the edge of the area.
Back down the other end and it was yet another Ram to look for an opening, This time Craig Forsyth who found space after a good ball by Mount, but his effort was blocked.
With just minutes to go, Mount swept a low shot again just off target and the goal-kick following gave Blackburn their best chance of the night. Derrick Williams sliced a shot from 30-yards out a whisper outside the left post.
The Rams were forced to settle to a 0-0 draw after a frustrating night of missed opportunities.
WHAT’S NEXT…
The Rams return to Pride Park Stadium on Saturday to face an in-form Brentford side in the Sky Bet Championship, kick-off: 3pm.
Lampard’s side will then switch their attention to the Carabao Cup when they travel to Old Trafford for their Third Round tie against Manchester United.
WHO IMPRESSED...
Mason Mount has been impressive all season for the Rams and tonight was no different. He has a knack for getting into great spaces in the box and fired plenty of shots towards David Raya.
He was also on hand to create his fair share of opportunities for others after running circles around his markers as he has done so often for Derby. Unfortunately he and his side were without the finish they were looking for.
Derby County: Carson; Bogle, Keogh (C), Tomori, Forsyth; Bryson, Johnson, Mount; Bennett (Waghorn, 76), Nugent, Jozefzoon (Wilson, 69)
Unused Substitutes: Roos, Wisdom, Marriott, Huddlestone, Malone
Blackburn Rovers: Raya; Nyambe, Lenihan, Williams, Bell; Smallwood, Evans; Conway (C)(Graham, 32), Dack, Palmer (Bennett, 53); Armstrong (Reed, 63)
Unused Substitutes: Leutwiler, Rothwell, Brereton, Downing,
