Kane Wilson finished off a slick move to fire in the eighth-minute opener as Derby County ended a wait of more than four hours for a goal by taking the lead at home to Portsmouth in the Championship on Friday – and promptly added two more without reply.
Right-back Wilson arrived in the box to meet Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s low delivery and score his second goal of the season for the out-of-form Rams.
Derby County draw first blood against Portsmouth through Kane Wilson! 💥 pic.twitter.com/NGHpLO9Ala
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 13, 2024
“It’s been a fabulous start by Derby, it really has – and what a goal,” former Wales midfielder Dave Edwards told Sky Sports.
“It’s all about [Eiran] Cashin with the pass early in the build-up to Ebou Adams. [Jerry] Yates just lays it to Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, and he’s so dangerous running at defenders.
“Wilson arrives perfectly and keeps the finish down through bodies. It’s an excellent start for Derby and a fully deserved lead.”
Cashin ‘Rolls-Royce’
Powerful centre-back Cashin doubled the lead 15 minutes later, heading in Kenzo Goudmijn’s outswinging corner to ensure County scored more than once for the first time in seven games.
“He had a part in the first goal and that header was outstanding,” said Edwards. “It zips up into the ground and it’s a wonderful, wonderful header.
Derby’s advantage is doubled courtesy of a BULLET header from Eiran Cashin! 🎯
Another set-piece goal for the Rams ⚪ pic.twitter.com/HekVCgOJhw
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 13, 2024
“He’s a Rolls-Royce at the back and he’s showing his attacking prowess, there. From a standing jump, to generate that power – it really is a top header.”
Derby County vs Portsmouth
Ebou Adams made it 3-0 after 29 minutes, turning in Craig Forsyth’s cross from close range via a deflection off Tom McIntyre.
Derby entered the contest on a six-match winless stretch as part of a run of one victory in 11 games, although their 0-0 draw at Burnley on Tuesday brought a sequence of three straight defeats to an end.
Ebou Adams adds Derby’s third inside half an hour and the Rams are in full flow! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/HbMlaxDt8E
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 13, 2024
Paul Warne’s side had dropped to within four points of the relegation zone and were under pressure against opponents on a four-game unbeaten run.
Pompey had collected two win across those games by convincingly beating Preston North End and Bristol City, but they started the night above the relegation zone only on goal difference, with their solitary away win of the campaign coming at fellow strugglers QPR on October 19.
