Sensational Nugent, Poor Ledley – The best and the worst rated Derby County players vs Preston

Full time: Derby County 2-0 Preston

Derby County made it back-to-back home wins as they beat Preston North End 2-0 at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday.

Mason Mount put Derby in front against Preston towards the end of the first half, and skipper Richard Keogh doubled the lead in the closing stages to seal the win.

Derby opened the scoring completely against the run of play. Mason Bennett played the ball down the right for David Nugent, who played a first-time ball in behind the Preston defence. Mount fired a low shot past goalkeeper Rudd.

Preston threatened Derby but lacked the finishing touch and with 12 minutes to go, skipper Keogh wrapped up the points for Frank Lampard’s side.

Derby County Player Ratings

Scott Carson – 7/10

Carson made some really good saves, most notably to deny Robinson in the first half when the game was goalless.

Jayden Bogle – 5/10

Bogle made a lively start to the game and made some really good runs down the right before he pulled up.

Richard Keogh – 8/10

The skipper led from the front, defended very and then doubled the hosts’ lead.

Fikayo Tomori – 7/10

Tomori remained disciplined and focused throughout the game. Also, his passing was crisp as he helped the Rams to a clean-sheet.

Craig Forsyth – 7/10

An industrious display on the left-hand side of the back-four. Forsyth has done well since returning from injury.

Joe Ledley – 5/10

Failed to add the calming presence to Derby’s midfield as he was dispossessed a couple of times in the first-half. Picked up a yellow card and was replaced three minutes into the second half because of injury.

Craig Bryson – 7/10

Put in a tremendous shift in the middle of the park that kept the hosts ticking. Bryson was tidy in possession and distributed the ball well to the flanks.

Mason Mount – 7/10

Mount failed to do anything in the first hour of the game but then opened the scoring against the run of play. After the goal, he looked more assured in possession and was a threat every time he picked up the ball.

Mason Bennett – 7/10

A very good display from Bennett, who got into promising positions and although his end product was frustrating, he kept the Preston defenders on their toes.

Tom Lawrence – 6/10

Not his day as Lawrence looked lost at times against Preston.

David Nugent – 8/10

Worked his socks off. Nugent claimed the assist for Mount’s goal, pressed the Preston defenders throughout and almost scored with a spectacular effort late on. A top display from the ageing striker.

Substitutes

Andre Wisdom – 6/10

Replaced Bogle in the first-half and slotted very well into the game.

Read more: Why Derby letting go of their experienced 33-year-old could turn out to be a huge blunder

Bradley Johnson – 6/10

Dodged and determined, Johnson circulated the ball well after replacing the injured Ledley right after the break.

Florian Jozefzoon – 5/10

Replaced Bennett with ten minutes left and added some energy to the tired Rams attack.