Derby County player ratings v Swansea as Rams pay the price after woeful start

Derby County paid the price for a dismal first-half start as Swansea City secured a 2-1 win at Pride Park

Luke Williams' side were ahead inside three minutes when Zan Vipotnik scored a wonderful opener as Warne's side were carved open through a move of real quality. Having been picked out by Myles Peart-Harris, the striker took one touch before rifling a wonderful strike beyond Jacob Widell Zetterstrom. And after Callum Elder was denied a penalty when he was clipped in the box, the Swans made it two when Ronald Pereira Martins added a well-taken second before the 15-minute mark.

Derby's fans were growing increasingly restless as Swansea continued to enjoy the bulk of possession but Curtis Nelson saw a header saved before Nathaniel Mendez-Laing saw a shot deflected into the arms of Lawrence Vigouroux. Eiran Cashin then saw a free header diverted over the bar from a corner while Kenzo Goudmijn dragged a shot wide.

Warne's side continued to ask questions after the break and they really should have had a goal back when Harness saw a shot saved by the Swansea goalkeeper but Jackson turned the rebound on to the bar from four yards.

But they were back in the hunt with 25 minutes to go when Tom Barkhuizen was fouled inside the box and it led to Mendez-Laing thrashing home from the spot for his first goal of the season.

Derby pushed for an equaliser as Swansea struggled to get out of their half as Dajaune Brown saw a volley go wide of the post while Kane Wilson's header to the back post was cleared. Derby kept pushing but were left rueing a poor first 20 minutes.

Jacob Widell Zetterstrom: Could do nothing about either goal as they were two ruthless finishes and actually the only two shots Swansea had on target in the whole 90 minutes. 6

Kane Wilson: Led the fight on his own from right-back after Derby had fallen two goals behind. Embarked on some incredible runs from his own half and he was one of the best attackers on show. 8

Curtis Nelson: Could have scored in the first half when his header was saved at the near post. Derby were stunned by the early goal and took them 20 to 25 minutes to recover. 6

Eiran Cashin: Defender snapped into a few tackles and a wonderful pass to Elder should have been rewarded with a penalty. Won his headers and could have scored himself. 6.5

Callum Elder: Should have been awarded a penalty and the problems Derby faced stemmed from a midfield which, apart from Adams, lacked physicality and bite. 6

Kenzo Goudmijn: Some of his crossing needs work as he got into some good areas but final ball let him down. Swansea had control of the middle of the pitch in the first 20 and couldn't lay a glove on them. Not his night. 4.5

Ebou Adams: Hunted Swansea when he could but wasn't really backed up once they got behind him. Had a frank exchange with Mendez-Laing in the first half but passing lets him down. 6

Corey Blackett-Taylor: There were one or two moments when he showed what he can do and there were one or two flashes of link-up play with Callum Elder. 5

Marcus Harness: Never really got into the game at all in the first 20 minutes by which time Swansea were well ahead. Improved after that and was close with a volley. 5.5

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing: Had a shot that nearly led to a goal when Derby rallied before half-time in what was their best spell of the game. Then scored the penalty. 6

Kayden Jackson: Led the line in the absence of Jerry Yates and missed a good chance from close range in the second half. Plenty of effort but that summed up his night unfortunately. 4.5

Subs

Tom Barkhuizen (Blackett-Taylor 63): Won the penalty and looked really bright. 7

Liam Thompson (Goudmijn 63): Immediately started pressing and harrying. 6

Craig Forsyth (Elder 63): Solid enough. 6

Dajaune Brown (Harness 79): Had a volley that went wide. 5

James Collins (Jackson 79): Tried to unsettle the Swansea defence. 5

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