Matt Clarke and Marcus Harness struck in each half to help Derby boost their Sky Bet Championship survival hopes with a 2-0 victory over in-form Coventry on Frank Lampard’s return to Pride Park.
Lampard came back to Derby for the first time since he left the club in 2019 but the now Sky Blues boss suffered a setback with his new club in their quest for the play-offs with a first defeat in six.
John Eustace returned the winning feeling to Derby with a result over his former team Blackburn on the weekend and Clarke’s first-half header put them on course for consecutive wins for the first time since September.
Harness went from creator to finisher with his first goal since October as the Rams doubled their advantage at the start of the second half, which saw them move to within a point of safety.
Coventry came into the game off the back of nine wins from their last 10 and they were beginning to get a grip of proceedings early on – a piece of trickery from Milan van Ewijk to take two Rams defenders out of the game was a signal of just how confident the Sky Blues were feeling.
But, Derby had ambitions of their own to build on their weekend result and began to grow in confidence as the half went on, Liam Thompson’s crack from range sailed harmlessly over, though.
The relegation battlers stunned the visitors midway through the first half.
Derby were handed an opportunity to swing the ball in when Jake Bidwell brought down Ebou Adams. Harness sent a teasing ball across the six-yard box and Clarke was able to nod it past Oliver Dovin at the far post for the opener.
Coventry immediately had an opportunity to bite back from a set-piece of their own but Victor Torp’s whipped free-kick was easy for Jacob-Widell Zetterstrom to deal with.
Bidwell did not learn his lesson from his foul outside the box that led to Derby’s first, and he gave away a similar foul which put his side under the pump right at the start of the second period.
And Derby made them pay again as they doubled their advantage shortly after.
Derby recycled the ball and Jerry Yates was able to dig out a cross to Callum Elder. He saw his initial shot blocked into the path of Harness who was on hand to drill in his second of the season from close range.
Coventry looked to get back into the match, with Josh Eccles deciding to drill one from distance which few just the wrong side of a post.
The hosts naturally began to sit but Zetterstrom did not have much to do in the second half, although he had to be alert to keep out Ephron Mason-Clark in injury time.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
