Derby head coach Paul Warne admitted his team might have got lucky after they beat 10-man Reading 2-1 at Pride Park.

Dwight Gayle scored for the third game running, although there was an offside question mark hanging over his strike which put the Rams ahead.

Gayle pounced in the 53rd minute when he fired home from Joe Ward’s free-kick, only for Sam Smith to head in Andy Yiadom’s cross to equalise three minutes later.

But Yiadom was shown a second yellow in the 59th minute for a foul on Conor Hourihane, who restored Derby’s lead from the penalty spot.

Warne said: “I thought first half we were really good, we played well and generally we controlled the game.

“We started the second half OK and got a goal that does look a bit dubious if I’m honest. I’m not going to say it was six yards onside, it looked on the edge of being close, so we rode our luck there, although I don’t think we’ve had much luck at Pride Park this year.

“But to concede straight after, we missed a couple of opportunities in the middle of the park to tackle and don’t stop the cross.

“Our intention was to take Sonny (Bradley) off early, he didn’t feel well before the game and was sick when he came off, so I’ll forgive him for not winning his header.

“It was nice we won a penalty with a ball in behind. The captain took it, I won’t lie I was a little bit nervous. When I took him off he said ‘did you have any doubts’ and I said ‘I’ve got to be honest I had a little bit of doubt!'”

Reading manager Ruben Selles said: “I look at the replay and I make my own opinion. When I say we will fight against everything and everyone, we need to play harder, we are going to do it as this team has been doing, fighting against absolutely everything that has been thrown against us.

“Today is another example of how competitive we can be and more than that I don’t know what to say.

“I think the decisions are clear, I don’t even need to say, the pictures talk by themselves. I think Derby is a really good team. We were competitive but I think the decisions were not on our side.”

Dwight Gayle scores again to help Derby to victory against Reading

Dwight Gayle scored his third goal in as many games to help Derby beat Reading 2-1.

Sam Smith cancelled out Gayle’s opener but Royals skipper Andy Yiadom was sent off before a Conor Hourihane penalty clinched victory.

Derby started strongly and it needed a great save from Joel Pereira to keep out a Joe Ward free-kick in the 11th minute.

Reading grew into the game but Derby twice went close with Pereira making another fine stop to deny Tom Barkhuizen in the 31st minute before Eiran Cashin headed a free-kick against a post two minutes later.

The game burst into life early in the second half with both sides trading goals before Reading were reduced to 10 men.

Gayle latched onto Ward’s pass to put Derby ahead in the 53rd minute, only for Smith to head in Yiadom’s cross three minutes later.

Yiadom was shown a second yellow card in the 59th minute for a foul on Hourihane, who restored Derby’s lead from the spot in the 70th minute after Pereira caught Gayle.


HOME
MATCH COVERAGE
Derby County predicted XI, team and injury news as ‘exceptional’ ace starts v ReadingPhoto by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
FEATURED
Derby County predicted XI, team and injury news as ‘exceptional’ ace starts v Reading
Tue 12 March 2024 14:30
Tom Griffin
Derby County host Reading tonight in a vital clash at the top of League One.

Paul Warne’s men are looking to continue their recent upturn in form having recorded consecutive 3-0 victories over Port Vale and Bristol Rovers.

As we approach the final nine games, Derby have hit a little purple patch in form since switching to the 3-4-3 system with Joe Ward and Louie Sibley operating as wingbacks.

The Rams have played some free-flowing football and have looked far more fluid in that formation compared to using a four-at-the-back system.

While Derby’s fortunes have improved after falling to defeats against Barnsley and Charlton Athletic, Warne is also welcoming back some of his key players.

Despite suffering an injury in training to Max Bird, who missed the match at Bristol Rovers, Derby did watch Craig Forsyth and Callum Elder return to training.

Neither are expected to dislodge Sibley from his left wing-back role against Reading, but their return to action is a timely one, especially with James Collins expected back at the end of March.

With that said, here’s how Derby could line up against Reading tonight.

MORE DERBY STORIES
Crewe Alexandra v Derby County - Emirates FA Cup First Round
Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
Derby County predicted XI vs Reading
Joe Wildsmith’s position in goal has been secure since Josh Vickers suffered an injury at the start of February. With his return date unknown, the 28-year-old will be looking to build on his total of 14 clean sheets.

Warne’s switch to a three-man defence has seen Joe Ward flourish as a right wing-back, with the former Peterborough man finally showing some of his best form since arriving in the summer.

Warne keeps his place in the side, as does his instrumental centre-back trio of Sonny Bradley, Eiran Cashin and Curtis Nelson with Sibley continuing his place in the starting XI at left wing-back.

Similarly to his opposite number, the Derby Academy graduate is playing some of his best football for a while.

As for their midfield, tackling machine Ebou Adams has a secure position in the engine room, but there could be one change to the team that beat Bristol Rovers and that is dropping Conor Hourihane for the “exceptional” Korey Smith.

Although Hourihane is superb at taking set-pieces and technically good, Smith has looked impressive since returning from injury and deserves to start tonight.

Derby’s front three, meanwhile, will remain unchanged. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Tom Barkhuizen and Dwight Gayle were electric on Saturday and Warne will expect them to reach similar levels tonight.

Related Topics
CONOR HOURIHANE
KOREY SMITH
PAUL WARNE
RELATED POSTS
MORE IN MATCH COVERAGE

ABOUT
EDITORIAL POLICY
AUTHORS
CONTACT US
PRIVACY
COMPLAINTS
PRIVACY SETTINGS
a proud member of

© 2024 GRV Media Ltd. All Rights Reserved
GRV Media Ltd, 18 Mulberry Avenue, Widnes,
Cheshire, WA8 0WN
Company No. 04155089