The Rams faced Birmingham City this afternoon as they looked to take a further stride towards the Championship's top six in a big game at Pride Park
Rhian Brewster (second left) celebrates scoring
Rhian Brewster (second left) celebrates scoring (Image: PA)
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Rhian Brewster's deft first-half header boosted Derby County's play-off hopes and in the process damaged Birmingham City's hopes of a top six finish as they secured a 1-0 win over Blues at Pride Park,
Brewster struck when he climbed highest to meet a Derry Murkin cross that bounced past James Beadle and into the bottom corner.
It was the least Derby deserved for a dominant performance in which Blues failed to register a shot on target in what was a pitiful display from the big-spending Championship side.
Derby almost took an early lead when Joe Ward pinched possession to stop a Birmingham counter-attack and immediately fed the ball to the waiting Rhian Brewster.
The former Liverpool striker took a touch before unleashing a terrific effort that whistled inches past the upright.
Birmingham were struggling to fashion any rhythm with Derby snapping into tackles in half which saw Eustace's side have 70 per cent of the possession.
Patrick Agyemang then tried his luck at the near post but saw his effort deflected over the bar before James Beadle denied his clever lob after he had beaten the Blues defence for pace.
The breakthrough finally came when Derry Murkin got forward down the left-side and dinked a super cross into a dangerous area where Brewster headed into the corner.
And it was nearly 2-0 when Agyemang was a toe-end away from reaching a Szmodics cross. The chances kept coming after the break as Szmodics was inches away from finding the bottom corner after a smart turn before Joe Ward also crashed a shot that was wide of the upright.
Bobby Clark then tried his luck from distance which Beadle claimed with a low save as the Rams claimed all three points.
Richard O'Donnell: Should have bought a pillow and a duvet for the first half, as Blues had no touches inside the box and had no shots on target either such was the Rams' dominance. 7
Joe Ward: Played really well in the first half and was sharp in everything he did. Played a couple of excellent balls in behind the Blues backline and was generally solid defensively too. 8
Dion Sanderson: Predictably booed by a section of the Birmingham support but Sanderson had the last laugh. Decision making was solid and never gave Blues a sniff. 7
Matt Clarke: Is in such good form at the minute and has to be a very strong contender for player of the season. Just very dominant aerially and is so alert to danger. 8
Derry Murkin: Registered his third assist and the full-back has a great deal of intelligence particularly in the final third. Didn't lash his cross to set up Brewster. Classy operator. 8
Lewis Travis: Looked to spread the ball out wide at every opportunity and had a fine game. Kept Derby ticking in the middle of the park. 8
Bobby Clark: Positive in everything he did and was happy to break from a deep midfield position to go and be an extra body in attack. Was involved in the first goal and showed some delightful touches. 8.5
Ben Brereton Diaz: Another strong display from the Southampton winger who worked backwards and forwards to help Derby establish superiority, particularly in the first half. Never stopped. 8
Sam Szmodics: After scoring against Portsmouth on Monday night, the on-loan Ipswich attacker was very lively in the final third and was a whisker away from teeing up Agyemang. Went close with a shot too. 8
Rhian Brewster: Scored a fine header in which he just hung in the air to meet Murkin's cross. Had also gone close with a shot in the first half that was inches away from finding the target. 8
Patrick Agyemang: The American was a handful in the first half as he gave Christoph Klarer a real problem when he wanted to spin in behind. Nearly grabbed a goal too and would have done with a better touch. 7
Subs
Jaydon Banel (Brewster 65): One or two moments. 6
David Ozoh (Clark 86): Came on to help protect the lead. N/A
Carlton Morris (Agyemang 86): Tried to make presence felt. N/A
Oscar Fraulo (Szmodics 86): Did a job in midfield. N/A