Derby County 1-0 Hull City: Matt Clarke header sees Rams secure another home win
- Published
Matt Clarke scored his first goal for Derby since a summer loan move from Brighton
Derby County put a difficult week off the pitch behind them as they stretched their unbeaten run to five Championship games with a narrow win against Hull.
Matt Clarke headed in unmarked from a Tom Lawrence corner midway through the second half for the only goal of the game.
Hull spurned their best chance in the first half when Jarrod Bowen somehow failed to hit the target from eight yards out when left unmarked.
It was the first game since Derby were charged with a breach of spending rules by the English Football League, with a potential points deduction hanging over them.
The club responded on Friday by saying the charge relating to losses made in the three years up to June of 2018 is "unlawful" and that it will be "vigorously contested".
Despite those ongoing concerns, Phillip Cocu's side continue to enjoy an upturn in fortunes on the pitch.
The victory saw them record a third successive home league win and climb a couple of places to 15th, seven points off the play-offs.
Hull's recent impressive form on the road, which had seem them win their past two, came to a halt with a second defeat in as many games. They are now just two points and three places better off than Derby in 12th.
Bowen, a rumoured transfer target for Premier League clubs in this January window, was unable to add to his tally of 16 Championship goals this season.
Derby County manager Phillip Cocu told BBC Radio Derby:
"They like to sit back and play on the counter so we had to be a little bit careful, especially with their speedy strikers and the end product of Bowen.
"We had the bravery to play high up the pitch. We needed time to create chances, and in the second half we controlled the game. The start of the year has been positive. We have to make sure we keep the momentum.
(On EFL charges against the club): "The statement of the club has been very clear. I don't feel the need to comment on it.
"The only thing I'd like to say about it is that the support we get from the fans, and the reaction of the players, shows that we're not only on to win the game but to stand up for the club. That's a good feeling for us."
Hull City manager Grant McCann told BBC Radio Humberside:
"I don't think there was anything in the game. We got done off a set play which is so frustrating because we work hard on them.
"Apart from that, we've come to a tough place and we were the better team in the first half.
"We tried to make some positive chances to get us back in the game, but we just couldn't find the equaliser."