Swansea City 2-1 Derby County: Joel Piroe scores twice to deepen Rams' relegation worries

Joel Piroe's second goal of the game was his 20th of the season

Derby County were plunged deeper into the relegation mire as Joel Piroe's two goals inspired Swansea City to victory.

The Dutch forward struck twice in quick succession in the first half with two stylish first-time finishes.

Tom Lawrence's penalty brought Derby back into the contest soon after but Swansea had the better of the second half with Hannes Wolf hitting the bar.

An eighth successive away defeat keeps Derby 23rd in the Championship and nine points adrift of safety.

Swansea's fourth win from five, meanwhile, moves them up to 13th in the table.

In the build-up to this match, Derby boss Wayne Rooney had said everyone could now "see a future" for the Rams after Chris Kirchner was finally named as the preferred bidder to take over the Championship club.

And although the US businessman's accepted bid ends over six months of uncertainty at Pride Park, it looks increasingly like the club's future will be in League One.

Even before Piroe opened the scoring in the eighth minute, there was a celebratory atmosphere at the Swansea.com Stadium as the home fans were still savouring their 4-0 win at Cardiff City a week earlier - the first time a team had won both south Wales derbies in a league season.

Piroe's first goal was beautifully taken, opening his body as he strode into the box to meet a Wolf cross from the left and curling a first-time left-footed shot into the far corner.

His second was striking in its similarity, again hit first time with his left foot, arcing just inside the far post.

Derby might have unravelled at that point but, to their credit, they responded by winning a penalty as Luke Plange was brought down by Andy Fisher. The Swansea goalkeeper almost redeemed himself by saving Lawrence's spot-kick but, despite getting a hand to the ball, he could not keep it out.

All that action was crammed into the opening 22 minutes and, after a somewhat lethargic remainder of the first half, there was more urgency from both sides after the break.

Derby winger Malcolm Ebiowei went close with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area, while Wolf forced Ryan Allsop into a save with a low drive.

The Austrian then struck the bar with a clipped shot inside the box following some fine link-up play with Michael Obafemi.

Derby struggled to muster much quality in their search for a late equaliser, leaving Fisher with little to do in the Swansea goal until he had to palm away a header by Festy Ebosele in added time.

Bartosz Cybulski was then bundled over as he competed for the rebound but referee Tim Robinson ignored Derby's appeals for a penalty, much to Rooney's fury on the touchline.

Cardiff's win at Reading at least meant the Rams did not slip further away from safety but, now with only five games left to haul themselves out of the bottom three, it looks like time is running out for Rooney and his players.

Swansea head coach Russell Martin said: "We're absolutely delighted. I can't be understated what it's taken this week for the players, physically and emotionally.

"We started the game brilliantly well, and then a bit of tiredness crept in. There was some brilliant football at times, there was some tired and sloppy football at other times.

"But I can't give them enough credit for what they've done this week. I'm incredibly proud of them. It's been a long time coming that third win in a week."

Derby manager Wayne Rooney said: "I think everyone in the stadium agrees [it was a penalty], the Swansea manager, fans, players, Derby players and fans, knows it was a clear penalty apart from the four officials.

"I hope the referee gets banned and fined but that is not good enough.

"I've raised this with the officials a few times this season and you get the same rubbish reply six weeks later but the season will be done before that."