Derby County player ratings v Coventry City as brilliant battling Rams secure first away win

Derby County produced a brilliant battling performance as they secured their first away win of the Championship season to overcome Coventry City 2-1 at the CBS Arena.

Derby started with purpose and a two v one breakaway led by Dajaune Brown saw him scamper towards goals with Jerry Yates in support.

The forward appeared to be caught in two minds however and he was eventually robbed of possession at the expense of a corner which the visitors could not capitalise on.

Both sides were guilty of giving the ball away and it led to Derby's breakthrough when Jack Rudoni's back pass was seized by Yates who took it wide of Oliver Dovin and slipped it into the far corner. Coventry attempted to find a way back into the game and Ebou Adams was required to help out Nat Phillips after a miskick had almost let in Brandon Thomas-Asante.

At the other end, Kenzo Goudmijn let fly from distance with his effort flying wide of the target as Derby went into the interval with a slender lead.

Derby were forced into a change at the break when Craig Forsyth came on to replace the injured Callum Elder and the Scot was needed when he made a superb block at the back to deny the Sky Blues an equaliser. That was then followed by another brave stop by Ebou Adams as Derby fought to keep hold of their lead.

They could have added a second when substitute Nathaniel Mendez-Laing led a counter-attack and his ball to the back post just missed the outstretched Liam Thompson. But Derby gave themselves some breathing space when Yates added a second when his shot took a deflection and beat Oliver Dovin.

However, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto pulled one back for the visitors when he fired a shot through the legs of Cashin to find the bottom corner. That set up a tense finale but Derby held on to secure all three points.

Here's how the players rated.....

Jacob Widell Zetterstrom: The Sweden international did not have a save to make in the first half as Coventry struggled to find chinks in Derby's armour courtesy of a defence that was well organised. Was beaten for the goal but made a solid save late on. 6.5

Kayden Jackson: Was handed the wing-back role and he delivered a hardworking display against Jack Rudoni. Tried to support the attack when Derby were on the attack. 7

Curtis Nelson: A measured performance from the centre-back who faced a decent strike partnership in Haji Wright and Brandon Thomas-Asante. Won his headers and took no risks in possession. 7.5

Nat Phillips: Was rescued by Ebou Adams when he miskicked a clearance that was being hunted by Thomas-Asante. Other than that his aerial prowess was needed when Coventry slung balls into the box. 7.5

Eiran Cashin: Will be fuming to have picked up such a needless booking that rules him out of Saturday's game against Plymouth. Had a mad couple of moments early on but excelled after. 7.5

Callum Elder: Showed good energy on the left-hand side and provided plenty of attacking impetus when Derby were able to counter attack. Shame he went off injured. 5

Kenzo Goudmijn: Much more like his old self after some patchy performances. Wanted the ball, carried the ball. Distrbution was a bit and miss, but the intensity levels were there. 7

Ebou Adams: Charged about the centre of midfield and backed up his team-mates specifically when Phillips almost committed a howler. Always turns up and finds himself in the middle of the action. 7.5

Liam Thompson: He was not in the team to be a creator but a destructor and he flew into a couple of challenges one of which on Josh Eccles was a peach. Ran his heart out. 7

Jerry Yates: The way he took his goal and the composure he showed was excellent. Had plenty of time to think, but he showed ruthlessness and enjoyed his celebration. 8

Dajaune Brown: There was an early moment when he led a two v one counter-attack that he got caught in two minds of what to do. But he will learn. Put his bundle in. 6.5

Subs:

Craig Forsyth (Elder H/T): Had a hand in Yates' second and made a terrific block. 6.5

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (Brown 68): Created a chance for Liam Thompson. 6.5

Sonny Bradley (Phillips 76): Made one important clearance. 6.5

Kane Wilson (Thompson 76): Helped Derby protect their lead. 6.5

James Collins (Yates 86): Made a brave header at the end. 6.5

Who was your man of the match? Have your say HERE.