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, to take them seven points above their opponents and the drop zone.
The Rams last picked up a second-tier win in early November, while Pompey were on a four-game unbeaten run – but this game went against the formbook as Derby went 3-0 up inside the first half an hour.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing created two of the goals, including the first for Kane Wilson after eight minutes, as the Derby captain crossed for the wing-back to slam home.
The hosts then showed their set-piece expertise once again as Eiran Cashin crashed home a header from Kenzo Goudmijn’s corner – for Derby’s league-high 12th set-piece goal of the season.
It was even better six minutes later as Mendez-Laing’s cross from the left was turned in by Ebou Adams – via a wicked deflection from Tom McIntyre to take it into the far corner.
Ebou Adams celebrates Derby’s third goal
Portsmouth failed to register a shot on target throughout and their second-half performance matched the dreariness of the first.
And a familiar face punished them as former Pompey winger Marcus Harness was played through down the right and after dancing through multiple defenders, his cross was turned into his own net by Marlon Pack.
It could have been worse as James Collins headed a good chance wide of the far post while Pompey goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid did well to keep out Goudmijn and Curtis Nelson late on.
There was also almost a comical own goal from the visitors as Schmid left Abdoulaye Kamara’s backpass while under pressure from substitute Kayden Jackson, but the shot-stopper scampered back to clear it off the line.
But Derby had to settle for four – as they ended a four-game winless run at Pride Park and Paul Warne’s side can now start looking up the table. Portsmouth, meanwhile, are only above the relegation zone on goals scored.
WATCH: All of Derby’s goals!
Kane Wilson’s composed finish saw Derby County take an early lead
Eiran Cashin put Derby County 2-0 up inside 25 minutes
Ebou Adams was on hand to finish as Derby went 3-0 up
Portsmouth midfielder Marlon Pack’s own goal made it 4-0
The game in stats
The managers
Derby’s Paul Warne to Sky Sports:
« It’s nice to win and score and take our chances. I don’t think we played as well as in previous home games but when you’re clinical you give yourself a chance to win. And we defended well. Three games in seven days has taken its toll on us so everyone can get a deserved rest.
Derby County head coach Paul Warne was thrilled with his side’s performance
« I’ve been proud of how we’ve played in every game. We’ve been at the rough end of a bit of class from the opposition. I don’t think we were too much better than Portsmouth. But we took our chances early on and the game looked more comfortable because of the scoreline.
« We played well in our home games but Leeds away and Burnley away – when I saw that I thought that would be a long week of no sleep! You need to win home games and there are certain home games when there is more pressure on the lads to win.
« As much as we want to compete, we’re not there. It may take a couple of windows. My job is to get the best out of our group to get as much as we possibly can. As a performance leader, I’m really pleased and tonight the football gods were kind to us. »
Portsmouth’s John Mousinho to Sky Sports:
« We didn’t start particularly well which invited a bit of pressure away from home. On a Friday night at Pride Park, that’s something you can never afford to do.
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho was at a loss to explain his side’s comprehensive 4-0 defeat at Derby County
« We gave Derby a leg up and a bit of a boost early on and we never really recovered from that. The first half was a strange one: I didn’t think it was a disaster but at the same time every time Derby went forward they looked like scoring. When they got the fourth, it was game over and a write-off.
« At 3-0, we felt a goal might change it but we didn’t create enough and we only created half chances. They were much better than us in one game.
« I felt confident going into the game, the players have been in really good shape and we’ve had some excellent results recently at home and away from home. The nature of it, the manner of it and the way we went under was surprising. I think that’s the most disappointing thing, I can’t really remember us winning an individual battle or second balls.
« We didn’t do enough all over the pitch and we didn’t win enough tonight – and when you do that you get a result like this. »
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