A Wayne Rooney free-kick was enough to give Derby County all three points against Preston North End. The 1-0 win for the visitors sees the Lancashire side’s dismal form continue.
Both sides came into the match at Deepdale just a few points off the top six but in completely different veins of form.
Derby continued their purple patch to take them a point away from sixth-placed Cardiff City and submit their hosts to a fifth loss in six.
Wayne Rooney Proves to Be the Difference for Derby County
Captain Rooney Guides Rams to Victory
Derby produced a dominant display in the first half, making it hard to believe that they were the visitors.
The quick recycling of possession and slick passing between the attacking quartet, guided by Rooney in his quarterback-like midfield role, was a joy to watch.
On 18 minutes, Louie Sibley was brought down by Paul Huntington on the edge of the Preston box. Huntington was lucky to escape extra punishment when a stamp on the youngster following the foul went unseen by referee Jarred Gillett.
However, his side soon paid the price from the subsequent set-piece.
England’s all-time leading goalscorer wrong-footed Declan Rudd in the Lilywhites’ goal and curled the ball into the far corner.
Derby nearly doubled their lead after the half-hour mark when Duane Holmes raced into the box only to scuff his effort.
Derby Show Their Resilient Side
In the second half, Preston were a much-improved team and played much higher up the pitch. However, they struggled to break down a Derby side with good shape and structure.
Both Matt Clarke and George Evans, who has started only once since December due to injury, remained solid at the back.
Similarly, the midfield partnership of Rooney and Max Bird helped to ensure Derby managed their lead until the final whistle.
The win at Deepdale makes it three wins on the bounce with a one-goal margin for the Rams.
This ability to hold their nerve may prove vital for Phillip Cocu’s side ahead of their tough run-in.
Cocu Dedicates Win to Andre Wisdom
Derby boss Phillip Cocu praised his side’s character to earn only their first away clean sheet this season.
The Dutchman told reporters: “We all knew it would be a difficult game. We had the same amount of points and they really pushed us to our maximum.
“It was a great goal by Wayne but it’s a shame we couldn’t score a second goal. It stayed an open game but in the end, I think we played really good football and showed character to get the win.”
Andre Wisdom was absent from the squad after he was stabbed whilst visiting a relative on early Sunday morning; the defender is out of the hospital and Cocu spoke about the boost it gave the team.
“I spoke with him today in the hotel before the game. He came to see us and it was a big boost for the team. It was a very serious [incident] and we were all very shocked about it but extremely pleased to talk to him. We give the win to him”, Cocu added.
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