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Derby logo
Championship | Gameweek 39
Jun 27, 2020 at 1pm UK
Pride Park Stadium
Reading logo

Derby
2 - 1
Reading

Lawrence (44'), Rooney (45+2' pen.)
Lawrence (13'), Shinnie (74'), Holmes (90+2')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Rinomhota (62')

Wayne Rooney scores as Derby beat Reading to boost playoff push

Wayne Rooney scores as Derby beat Reading to boost playoff push
© Reuters
The Rams have won their last four league games.

Derby maintained their late charge for the Championship play-offs with a 2-1 victory against Reading at Pride Park.

A quick-fire double late in the first half from Tom Lawrence and Wayne Rooney, scoring his fifth goal for the club from the penalty spot, in truth flattered the hosts at the break as Reading had created the better chances and hit a post through Ovie Ejaria.

Andy Rinomhota's header after 62 minutes saw the Royals pull a goal back, but Derby made it two wins from their two matches since the resumption.

Both sides had a player sent off after the final whistle as Lawrence and Matt Miazga were shown red cards following a confrontation.

It was a fourth successive league victory either side of the lockdown and moved Phillip Cocu's side up to eighth in the table, although they stay three points outside the play-off places.

There was one change to the Derby side that won at Millwall as Duane Holmes was replaced by Chris Martin, who this week signed a temporary extension to his contract meaning he is available for the remainder of the season.

Reading made three changes. George Puscas came in for the injured Lucas Joao, while Rinomhota and the fit again Miazga were also recalled. Michael Morrison and Jordan Obita dropped to the bench.

Martin was involved early on as he headed the ball down for Lawrence, who struck his shot cleanly from just outside the area but Rafael smothered it easily down to his right.

Some sloppy play in midfield by Derby should have seen Reading take the lead after 19 minutes. Chris Gunter pounced on a loose ball and released Ejaria on the left with the hosts short at the back.

Ejaria teed up Puscas inside the penalty area but he scooped his shot over the crossbar after stepping neatly around Matt Clarke's recovering challenge.

Michael Olise managed to work Ben Hamer just after the half-hour with a curling effort before shortly afterwards Ejaria saw his strike from a tight angle hit a post and the rebound saved by the goalkeeper.

Reading were in the ascendancy but their failure to take their chances was punished by Derby before half-time. Lawrence curled a shot into the top corner of the net in the 44th minute and Rooney quickly doubled the advantage with a penalty.

Martyn Waghorn was fouled by Liam Moore and England's all-time leading goal-scorer netted with a low, hard drive as Rafael dived the opposite way, giving the hosts a flattering lead at the break.

Rooney went close again at the start of the second half as his curling free-kick had to be helped round a post by the goalkeeper.

Reading pulled a goal back just after the hour mark when midfielder Rinomhota beat Hamer to an aerial ball and planted his header into the net.

The Royals pushed for an equaliser but Derby were disciplined and organised defensively and, but for making a save to deny the lively Ejaria, Hamer was not really troubled.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds29179353193460
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd29186540211958
3Burnley29151223692757
4Sunderland291510442241855
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom291014538251344
6Middlesbrough29128947361144
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn29126113228442
8Bristol City29101183734341
9Watford29125124041-141
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds29118104245-341
11Norwich CityNorwich29109104842639
12Coventry CityCoventry29108113938138
13Queens Park RangersQPR2991193237-538
14Millwall29910102826237
15Preston North EndPreston2981383236-437
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2999113343-1036
17Swansea CitySwansea2997133240-834
18Cardiff CityCardiff29710123344-1131
19Hull City2978143038-829
20Stoke CityStoke29611122636-1029
21Portsmouth2978143652-1629
22Derby CountyDerby2976163240-827
23Luton TownLuton2975172948-1926
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth29410152762-3522


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