Derby County 3-1 West Bromwich Albion: Frank Lampard's Rams seal play-off spot
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Martyn Waghorn headed Derby ahead against West Bromwich Albion
Derby County boss Frank Lampard described himself as "proud" after the Rams secured a Championship play-off place with victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Two goals in three second-half minutes from Mason Bennett and Harry Wilson saw the Rams finish sixth, to set up a play-off semi-final against Leeds United.
"Pride is probably the main emotion, to see the team play from 1-1 onwards, with the quality and the work rate and the calm nature to play the football we played," he said.
"When we got our noses in front we kept moving the ball, it was brilliant.
"We need to try to carry that momentum - we'll be underdogs because we came sixth. There's a reason we've finished points behind Leeds, Villa and West Brom.
"The run-in has been good for us, so let's go into it with no fear and try to upset a few people.
"I'll plan to play the Leeds side that have been really strong all season."
The Rams needed a win to be certain of a sixth-place finish against a side who were already assured of ending their campaign in the top four.
Middlesbrough did beat Rotherham to ensure Lampard's side had to take all three points, and they did so in fine style at a packed-out Pride Park.
Martyn Waghorn's perfectly placed near-post header from Jayden Bogle's exquisite cross earned the hosts a half-time lead in an open game.
The Baggies deservedly levelled two minutes after the break through Stefan Johansen's superb curled strike, but Derby dominated from then on.
Substitute Bennett's close-range finish two minutes after coming on made it 2-1 after 70 minutes and Wilson's penalty sealed the victory.
Albion, who would have finished third with victory as a result of Leeds' unexpected defeat against Ipswich, had substitute Hal Robson-Kanu sent off in stoppage time for kicking out at Bradley Johnson.
Derby will face Leeds, who beat them in both league games this season, in the two-legged semi-final, while the Baggies will meet fierce local rivals Aston Villa.
Lampard (right) and assistant boss Jody Morris celebrate Derby's top-six finish
Lampard leads the way
The Rams have become accustomed to play-off heartache in some form or another over the past few seasons.
They suffered an agonising last-minute Wembley defeat in the 2014 final against QPR, missed out on the top six on the final day of the following season and have been beaten in two of the past three play-off semi-finals since.
But their performance against the Baggies was both stylish and brave, and their place in the top six in Lampard's first season was fully merited after a fine season and this impressive display.
Jacob Murphy and Dwight Gayle missed glorious chances for the visitors either side of Waghorn's stunning opener, but after Johansen's classy finish made it 1-1, Derby seized control.
With home pressure building and Mason Mount, Tom Lawrence and Wilson particularly impressive, Bennett followed up to poke the Rams back in front on the rebound.
And Wilson's penalty after Lawrence was deemed to have been fouled by Kyle Bartley after a mazy run, brought a 3-1 lead which was comfortably kept.
Baggies demonstrate attacking quality
Despite their defeat, the Baggies created the better chances until soon after Johansen's strike and looked sharp for their mouthwatering semi-final date with Villa.
A peculiar season saw Darren Moore sacked as manager in March with the Baggies fourth, but nine points off the top two following a 1-1 draw at home against bottom-of-the-table Ipswich.
However, a run of six wins in 10 matches under caretaker boss Jimmy Shan confirmed their top-six finish and they face Villa in encouraging form, led by a front pairing of Gayle and Jay Rodriguez who have 45 goals between them this season.
Shan was unhappy with his side's showing in the final stages of the game.
"After they scored the third, our level of application and work ethic was not acceptable," he said.
"However we dress up what's happened today, it's not the business end.
"There were some honest assessments from the players in there. There's no excuse now.
"We're going to have to play a lot better than that if we're going to have some success against Aston Villa."
- Published3 May 2019
