Derby County v Plymouth Argyle player ratings as star man banks 8 in super Rams late show
Derby County v Plymouth Argyle player ratings as star man banks 8 in super Rams late show
Marcus Harness scored a dramatic late winner as Derby County made it three wins in the space of a week to keep them firmly in the hunt for Championship survival with a 3-2 victory at Plymouth.
Derby got off to a terrific start as a long throw into the box from Kane Wilson was flicked on by Nat Phillips who found Harness inside the box.
The on-loan Ipswich attacker showed tremendous physicality before he drilled in his second goal of the week as Derby produced a start that packed plenty of intensity.
Long throws were a real problem for Plymouth to deal with and Derby took full advantage to make it 2-0 when Callum Elder’s delivery into the box caused havoc inside the box.
It dropped for Harrison Armstrong who opened his body up to meet it superbly on the volley and crashed it into the bottom corner. Maksym Talovierov gave Derby a warning that from 25 yards with a fierce drive that cleared the bar before the hosts had a goal back before half-time.
Kane Wilson was penalised for a foul and Mustapha Bundu curled home a terrific free-kick that bent around Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and into the far corner.
Derby would have been aware that the first 15 minutes of the second half would be crucial in keeping Plymouth at bay, but it took the hosts just 25 seconds into the restart to pull level.
After making a hash of their restart, Derby watched as Callum Wright’s cross was turned into his net by Nat Phillips. Derby attempted to summon a response but they struggled to breakdown Argyle’s defence with Ryan Hardie missing a great chance at the other end when he was picked out by Bundu.
But Derby had the final say when Harness fed Elder on the left and his cross was met by the attacker to guide in from six yards. And there was another opportunity to finish the game off when Kayden Jackson was denied by the goalkeeper after excellent work from Jerry Yates.
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom: Couldn’t really do much about the free-kick that Plymouth scored before half-time which was a wonderful strike. Made a good save to deny Bundu’s free-kick in the second half. 6.5
Kane Wilson: The wing-back’s long throws were a problem for the Argyle defence, one of which led to Derby making the breakthrough early on. Embarked on a couple of decent attacking runs too. Had to go off. 6
Nat Phillips: It was from his flick on that Marcus Harness was able to give the Rams an early lead. Unfortunately got into a major pickle after half-time when he turned into his own net. But otherwise it was a good performance. 6.5
Matt Clarke: Another strong defensive display from the centre-back who was strong aerially and intelligent on the ground. Showed his experience brilliantly at times. 7
Craig Forsyth: Has slotted in seamlessly to the left-sided centre-back role and just goes about his business in a quiet, efficient manner. 6.5
Callum Elder: Like Wilson, his long throw brought reward as it led to Harrison Armstrong opening his account for the club with a stunning volley. Teed up Harness for the winner. 7.5
Harrison Armstrong: Opened his account in some style for Derby with a brilliant volley to put the Rams 2-0 up. Strong in the tackle and has such a big future ahead of him. 7.5
Ebou Adams: The captain was a driving force and pressed when he could, won some free-kicks and generally it was a typical Adams performance. Never lets up. 7
Liam Thompson: Couldn’t fault his effort in terms of trying to unsettle Plymouth but just could not stamp his authority on the game as much as he would have perhaps liked to. 6
Marcus Harness: No stopping the attacker at present and, after a goal and assist in midweek, he produced another well-taken effort here to give Derby the lead and then popped up with the winner. Excellent. 8
Jerry Yates: Had a good chance before the break when the ball bounced invitingly in the area. Put his foot through it and it flew over the bar. Created a superb chance for Kayden Jackson. 6.5
Subs
Kayden Jackson (Thompson 60): Could have scored when teed up by Yates. 5.5
Sondre Langas (Wilson 74): Made a big header and took a whack for his troubles. 5.5
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