Derby County 2 Charlton 0
Derby ended Charlton’s three-game winning streak on the road with a 2-0 victory at Pride Park.
David McGoldrick’s early penalty and Eiran Cashin’s powerful header were enough for the Rams in a game where the Addicks had plenty of possession but were unable to break down their opposition.
January deadline day signing Michael Hector came in for his first start after an impressive showing from the bench in Tuesday’s win at Forest Green Rovers. His inclusion was one of three changes by Manager Dean Holden, with Albie Morgan and Macauley Bonne also starting as Charlton began the game in a 4-3-3 formation.
Derby started the game well and Ashley Maynard-Brewer made a comfortable fourth-minute save to keep out a Tom Barhuizen effort.
The home side took the lead five minutes later when the in-form McGoldrick calmly slotted home a penalty after Hector was adjudged to have handled Conor Hourihane's goalbound strike inside the box.
Charlton’s first sight at goal came six minutes later when Jes Rak-Sakyi got on the end of a Bonne flick-on, however Derby keeper Joe Wildsmith was out quickly to smother the winger’s effort.
The Rams continued to control the ball but Charlton stayed in the game and Morgan gave Wildsmith a scare, when he nearly caught the keeper out at the near post with a shot from the right wing.
The Addicks grew into the match but Derby twice nearly doubled their lead just before the break. First, Jason Knight’s shot went just wide and then Maynard-Brewer did well to keep out McGoldrick’s scuffed half-volley just before the half-time whistle.
Wildsmith was called into action early in the second half but the keeper stood strong to keep out a sweeping, left-footed shot from Fraser.
Clare then made an important challenge at the back post to deny Barkhuizen after an excellent run down the left wing from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Derby’s second came from a deadly free-kick from the left by Hourihane which was nodded home by Cashin.
The home side controlled much of the remaining 21 minutes and despite a late chance which Rak-Sakyi hit over, Derby were able to secure three points.
Derby County: Wildsmith, Forsyth (c), Hourihane, Cashin, Barkhuizen (Dobbin 64), McGoldrick (Collins 80), Mendez-Laing (Springett 80), Smith, Sibley, White (Roberts 74), Knight
Subs (not used): McGee, Thompson, Davies
Goals: McGoldrick 9 (pen), Cashin 69
Assist: Hourihane 69
Booked: Barkhuizen 31 (foul on Dobson)
Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; Clare, Hector, Ness, Sessegnon (Penney 75); Morgan (Payne 66), Dobson (c), Fraser; Rak-Sakyi, Bonne (Aneke 66), Blackett-Taylor (Campbell 75)
Subs (not used): Wollacott, Inniss, Kilkenny
Booked: Clare 4 (foul on White), Hector 9 (handball), Dobson 68 (foul on Dobbin)
Referee: P Howard
Attendance: 27,460
