3/1 To Win
Malcolm Ebiowei and Eiran Cashin netted their first professional goals for Derby County as the Rams recorded a 2-0 victory against Blackpool.
The win was enough to seal the Rams’ first away victory since a 2-1 success at the bet365 Stadium against Stoke City in December.
Derby had to work hard for their victory and they had Kelle Roos to thank for keeping the scores level as he denied Gary Madine from the penalty spot in the first half.
Wayne Rooney’s side had to wait until midway through the second half to open the scoring as Malcolm Ebiowei reacted quickest to a loose ball in the penalty box and scored from close range to net his first goal in Derby colours.
Ten minutes later, the Rams were two goals ahead as Cashin scored his first professional league goal for the club. Ebiowei turned provider as his free kick found the head of the onrushing defender and he secured all three points for the Rams in the club’s final away game of the season.
The manager made five changes to his side for the Rams’ penultimate game of the campaign as they were backed by a 4,000 strong crowd at Bloomfield Road. And they were in fine voice throughout the afternoon as it was a quiet opening to the encounter.
It was the home side who had the first opportunity of the game as Blackpool’s Callum Connolly met a corner from Charlie Kirk but guided wide of the post.
But, Derby did assert themselves in the game and the wide players were effective in the opening 20 minutes. Craig Forsyth and Festy Ebosele remained high and won headers, whilst Ebiowei and Jason Knight picked up the second balls.
And Ebosele and Forsyth who combined to create Derby’s best opening midway through the first half. Ebosele crossed deep for Forsyth who headed back across goal for Luke Plange but the striker, in front of goal, just could not find space for a shot.
The returning Kelle Roos was called into action a minute later as his strong hand tipped Shayne Lavery’s goalbound shot over the crossbar.
He would be called upon soon after as the home side were awarded a penalty. Ebosele was adjudged to have fouled Husband inside the penalty area. Madine stepped up, but his powerful effort along the ground was well saved by Roos, who was making his first start since the end of November.
Derby finished the half stronger of the two sides and went close on two occasions before the half time interview. Firstly, Plange forced a good save from Blackpool goalkeeper Chris Maxwell, whilst two minutes later, Louie Watson, making only his third start of the campaign, almost netted for the Rams.
It was all his own good work, too, as he broke out of defence and raced 50 yards with the ball. He found Ravel Morrison who had advanced forward before the ball was played back to the midfielder who had made himself available on the edge of goal.
His eyes lit up as he found himself in space on the edge of the box and his effort curled narrowly wide of Maxwell’s goal as it was goalless at the break.
The home side made a change at the break as they introduced Oliver Casey in place of Jordan Thorniley, and Blackpool had two opportunities to take the lead soon into the half.
Charlie Kirk curled wide, whilst Roos had it covered, whilst the goalkeeper had to be alert a minute later as Luke Garbett’s shot was diverted goalwards by Madine but Roos tipped wide.
Chances were at a premium and with neither side really looking likely to score, Rooney introduced Sibley in place of Plange to add another dimension to Derby’s attack.
And he certainly did that as five minutes after his introduction, he had a huge hand in Derby County taking the lead.
It was his strong run and shot which caused Maxwell to spill his effort only into the path of Ebiowei who tapped home from close range to score his first professional goal.
It was a great moment for the youngster who has impressed for the Rams since his inclusion in the squad in recent games, and ten minutes later, another Rams youngster netted his first goal for the club as Cashin found the back of the net.
This time, Ebiowei turned provider as his free kick was pinpoint on to the head of the central defender and he found the bottom corner, giving Maxwell no chance to double Derby’s lead.
And that’s how it would stay as Derby held on to their advantage as they recorded their first victory on the road since beating Stoke City in December.
Blackpool: Maxwell (C), Connolly, Husband (Garbutt 32’), Anderson, Dougall, Madine, Lavery, Hamilton, Keogh, Kirk (Yates 80’), Thorniley (Casey 46’).
Substitutes: Grimshaw, Stewart, Dale, Carey.
Derby County: Roos, Forsyth, Bird, Morrison, Ebiowei (Aghatise 86’), Davies (C), Watson (Thompson 81’), Ebosele, Knight, Cashin, Plange (Sibley 67’).
Substitutes: Allsop, Byrne, Stearman, Cybulski.
