Rams too sharp for Blades in both boxes

DERBY County marched to a third successive win in the Championship as Carlton Morris’ hat-trick secured a 3-1 victory at Sheffield United.

- By LEIGH CURTIS

The former Luton Town striker’s treble took him to nine goals for the season in what was a fully deserved three points for the Rams, who executed John Eustace’s gameplan to perfection.

It took a while before the game exploded into life as both sides tried to find chinks in each other's armour, with Djibril Soumare dragging a shot wide after good work from the lively Chiedozie Ogbene.

But the Rams were ahead in the 24th minute when a fabulous corner from Joe Ward was delivered to the near post and Morris leapt to glance his header into the corner for his sixth goal of the season.

Derby were in dreamland and they could have been further ahead just moments later when Ben Brereton Diaz's 20-yard scorcher forced a good save from Michael Cooper, who tipped over the bar.

From the following corner, Ward again teased a ball to the near post where Matt Clarke glanced a header just past the upright.

United’s fans were getting restless but they were given some encouragement when Callum O’Hare ran through on goal. However, Clarke raced across to make a superb sliding tackle.

As the second half began, United began to play their famous Greasy Chip Butty song but the din was pierced when Sydie Peck’s hopeless back pass was seized upon by Morris.

The striker had a free run at goal and kept his composure to dink a finish over Cooper and leave the startled Blades facing cries of “you're going down with the Wednesday” from a jubilant away end.

And it was to get better for the visitors when Derby were awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute for what appeared to be handball by Alex Matos and that allowed Morris to complete his hat-trick.

O'Hare did manage to score for the hosts as he rifled in from close range but it was not enough to halt the visitors’ march to all three points, although he nearly added a second but for a fine save from Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.