Derby County 4-2 Wolves: Paul Clement and Kenny Jackett react to result
Sunday 18 October 2015 17:30, UK
Derby manager Paul Clement felt Chris Martin put in the Sky Bet Championship's best performance of the season so far, as the Rams skipper led the way to victory over Wolves.
The hosts ran out 4-2 winners at the iPro Stadium, a result which lifted them into sixth and stretched their unbeaten run to six, including five wins.
Martin's first-half brace was complemented by goals from Bradley Johnson and Johnny Russell, with Wolves forced to chase the game throughout.
Martin could have had a hat-trick by half-time, though Wolves goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez did well to save his stoppage time penalty. It was rendered moot as Johnson made it 3-1 from the resultant corner.
Overall, the win cements Derby's status as promotion contenders, and Clement was full of praise for his two-goal hero, saying: "I thought it was the best Championship centre-forward performance I've seen this the season.
"I haven't watched every game, but from what I've seen either live or on TV, I thought that was the best. A fantastic first finish, bravery in the aerial duel with the goalkeeper (for the second) - (he) was punched in the head as well.
"The way he chased down balls into the channels, held the ball, led the line with his defending - well deserved man of the match.
"It's a shame he didn't score the penalty. It would have topped off the performance the first half hat-trick.
"Based on that kind of performance, if he keeps playing like that he's going to help this team get into the Premier League, and then he will be playing there. I'm very happy to have him here."
Derby did have some nerves when Wolves star Benik Afobe equalised in the first half to make it 1-1, but Martin and Johnson had settled things by half-time. Russell was rewarded for his tenacity in the second half with a goal, meaning Adam Le Fondre's 64th-minute strike for Wolves was mere consolation.
Clement said: "Overall I'm very satisfied with our performance today, the most satisfied I've been all season.
"It's nice (to be in the play-off places), that's all the reward for all the work that's been put in by the players. The team spirit's excellent. We have got to keep that going."
For Wolves manager Kenny Jackett, it was a rude awakening after the side's run of back-to-back 3-0 wins, which were part of a four-match unbeaten run.
It was an away defeat to Bolton which had sparked that recent flow, and Jackett said: "That type of reaction will be fantastic."
"Winning consistently in the Championship is a tough one and that's what everybody is looking to do.
"We have to have a reality about our defensive performance today.
"Our defending in our back third was poor. We gave them too much time, and chances, and (there was) not enough work to try to close down shots, and stop attacks at the source.
"Once (Derby) are away with their passing and combination movements, it's very difficult to stop them."
