3/1 To Win
It was six of the best as a hat-trick from Derby County’s number nine Martyn Waghorn inspired the Rams to a convincing 6-1 victory over Rotherham United.
It was a dominant display from the Rams on an afternoon where the Rams netted six goals in the league for the first time since Easter 1996.
Waghorn opened the scoring from the penalty spot, whilst Bradley Johnson headed the second goal on 39 minutes.
The striker scored his second of the afternoon before the break and soon after the interval, influential midfielder Mason Mount marked his return from injury with the fourth of the afternoon.
Richard Wood pulled a goal back for Millers but Duane Holmes restored the Rams’ four goal advantage just after the hour mark.
And the afternoon belonged to Waghorn as he scored from the penalty spot on 71 minutes to ensure his hat-trick and an emphatic victory for Frank Lampard’s side.
The Rams were handed a boost ahead of kick off as Mount recovered from a hamstring injury that had seen him miss 10 games.
It was a first half that the Rams dominated, despite some early scares. After Waghorn got the ball caught under his feet inside the penalty area, the Millers broke and almost took the lead on four minutes.
Joe Newell’s low teasing cross was almost met at the back post by Ryan Williams who was millimetres away from scoring, but the winger collided with the post.
From that moment on, however, it was Lampard’s side who controlled the half. The first goal of the afternoon came from the penalty spot as the returning Mount was fouled.
It was only the second penalty to be awarded to the Rams all season, the other came against Hull City in September, and it was the same outcome as Waghorn converted to put Derby ahead.
Confidence started to flow for Lampard’s side as they passed the ball confidently and dictated the play.
Harry Wilson almost got himself on the scoresheet on 15 minutes, but he fired over from inside the penalty area after a good ball into the box by Scott Malone
The dynamic trio of Mount, Wilson and Tom Lawrence almost combined soon after, however, the latter fired into the side-netting.
For all the Rams’ dominance, they were almost caught on the break just before the half hour mark. A corner into the box found the head of Semi Ajayi but Holmes was back on the line to ensure the visitors did not equalise.
Lampard’s side needed a second goal to calm the growing nerves around Pride Park Stadium and with only six minutes of the half remaining, they did manage to double their lead.
Malone’s delivery into the box was pinpoint and Johnson’s header from 12 yards found the corner.
Two would quickly become three just before the break. This time, it was a cross from the opposite side as Holmes found the onrushing Waghorn and he headed the Rams into a comfortable lead at the break.
The key message at half time would have been to continue the good work from the opening 45 minutes, and they certainly did that as they made it four on 48 minutes.
Wilson waited and waited for Bogle to overlap on the right, he did and pulled the ball back to Mount who met the ball on the half-turn to score from 12 yards.
Kelle Roos, however, would be denied a clean sheet as Paul Warne’s side managed to pull a goal back on 53 minutes.
A corner into the box found the head of Rotherham skipper Wood and he found the back of the net from close range.
Despite the goal, it was the Rams who dominated possession and looked for ways to extend their lead.
They managed to restore their four-goal advantage just after the hour mark. Wilson stood a cross up for Mount who headed back across goal for Holmes and he made no mistake from six yards.
The day, however, belonged to Waghorn as he was presented with a chance to net his hat-trick on 70 minutes. A superb through ball from Jayden Bogle found Lawrence who was fouled by Millers goalkeeper Marek Rodak.
Waghorn stepped up for the second time in the afternoon and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to ensure he walked away with the match ball at full time.
The influential Mount left the field to a standing ovation soon after, whilst on 80 minutes, hat-trick hero Waghorn also left to applause from all four sides on an afternoon to remember.
Derby County: Roos, Tomori, Keogh, Wilson, Mount (Bennett, 75’), Waghorn (Marriott, 81’), Lawrence, Johnson, Holmes, Bogle, Malone (Cole 75’).
Substitutes: Carson, Wisdom, Bryson, Huddlestone.
Rotherham United: Rodak, Vyner, Ajayi, Wood, Taylor (Crooks, 45’), Ihiekwe, Yates (Forde, 78’), Newell, Williams, Wiles (Towell, 45’), Jones.
Substitutes: Price, Palmer, Kayode, Smith.
