Derby 4 – 0 Portsmouth happymamay

Derby ended a run of six games without a win in emphatic style as a dominant first-half display helped them to a 4-0 win over Portsmouth, taking them seven points above their rivals and into the relegation zone.

The Rams last won in the second tier in early November, while Pompey are on a four-game unbeaten run – but this game went against form as Derby led 3-0 inside the first half-hour.

Nathaniel Mendes Laing set up two goals, including Kane Wilson’s opener eight minutes later, as the Derby captain crossed for the left-back to fire the ball home.

The hosts then showed their dead-ball expertise once again when Eran Kashin headed home Kenzo Godmin’s corner kick – scoring Derby’s 12th free-kick goal in the league this season.

It was even better six minutes later when Ebo Adams turned Mendes Laing’s cross from the left into the net – with a wicked deflection from Tom McIntyre to slot it into the far corner.

Portsmouth failed to register a shot on target throughout and their second half performance matched the gloom of the first half.

A familiar face punished them when former Pompey winger Marcus Harness crossed the ball from the right and after dancing between several defenders, his cross was turned into his own net by Marlon Backe.

It could have been worse as James Collins headed a good chance wide of the far post while Pompey keeper Nicholas Schmid did well to keep out Goodmin and Curtis Nelson late on.

There was also an almost comical goal by the visitors when Schmid let go of Abdoulaye Kamara’s back pass under pressure from substitute Kayden Jackson, but the goalkeeper rushed back to clear the ball off the goal line.

But Derby had to make do with four games – ending a run of four games without a win at Pride Park and Paul Warne’s side can now start looking up the table.

Watch: All the derby goals!

The game is in statistics

Managers

Derby player Paul Warne:

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Portsmouth player John Mousinho:

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