3/1 To Win
Tom Lawrence danced his way on to the scoresheet in Derby County’s superb 4-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion - and praised the Rams’ ability to execute their game plan.
The 24-year-old got in on the action, following up on Jack Marriott’s opening goal to extend the lead at The Hawthorns at half-time. The Rams continued to unravel the Baggies in the second 45 minutes with goals from Harry Wilson and Scott Malone before Jay Rodriguez pulled one back for West Brom.
The Wales international praised Derby’s ability to show up and execute their game plan. Although he isn’t complacent with a 4-1 victory and believes there is more to come.
“We had a game plan and we executed it very well tonight. In the end it was a very good victory for us,” he told RamsTV following the game.
“At 2-0, it’s always an awkward scoreline because if they get a goal it puts us on the back foot a little bit, but I thought that we dealt with that really well, we got the third goal and the game was done.”
He added: “I don’t think we played as well as we did Saturday in the second-half, the goals were a plus, but we need to get back to the good football that we played on Saturday in that second-half.”
After opening the season with three goals in four games, Lawrence has bided his time for his fourth. But it came in spectacular fashion as he glided into the box after his compatriot, Wilson, fed him the ball. The winger cut in to shake off his man before blasting a low shot into the far corner.
He hopes to now feed off the momentum moving forward, although with all the action that followed his goal, Lawrence may need a reminder of how it played out.
“I can’t really remember much about it!” he laughed. “I just remember it going off the post and it’s always nice to get another goal. It puts me in good stead going into the next game.
“The gaffer wanted me to get at the defenders and I did that. It created an opening and I took my chance.”
His and the Rams’ next chance to impress will come on Saturday when Frank Lampard’s side travels to Middlesbrough. It will cap off a tough week back from the international break that has seen Derby pitted against three of the four top teams in the Sky Bet Championship.
Two dominating performances has brought the spotlight on Derby and Lawrence is confident that they can back that up and finish the week with another three points.
Wednesday evening’s result moved the Rams to fifth, level on points with West Brom and just two points behind the top three teams, Leeds United, the next opponent Boro and Sheffield United who Derby dethroned on Saturday with a 2-1 victory.
“It puts everyone on notice. We have had two big wins back-to-back and we are looking for another one on Saturday now,” he said.
“Three wins in a week would be nice. They are all top teams, all three of them, but I think whoever we come up against we are confident that we are going to win the game and, like we have shown tonight, we have done that.”
