Match ends, Derby County 3, Sheffield Wednesday 0.
DerbyDerby County3Sheff WedSheffield Wednesday0
Derby moved up to ninth in the Championship with a comfortable win over struggling Sheffield Wednesday.
Jake Buxton put the home side ahead just before half time with a close-range finish.
Highly-rated midfielder Will Hughes added a second shortly after the restart when he slotted in Craig Forsyth's low cross at the far post.
Chris Martin then turned home Jamie Ward's cross to condemn Wednesday to their fifth defeat of the season.
The result was rarely in question after Derby quickly took a grip of the game and went close when a deflected Craig Bryson free-kick went narrowly wide.
Simon Dawkins dragged a shot wide of the Owls goal when well-placed before Derby finally broke the deadlock just before half-time.
Buxton headed in a Ward corner and, shortly after the break, Derby doubled their lead.
The Rams made the most of a swift counter-attack, with Hughes applying the finishing touch as he stole in at the far post convert Forsyth's cross.
England Under-21 international Hughes then played a part in Derby's third as he released Ward, who crossed to set up Martin for a simple tap-in.
Derby handed a debut to Mali international midfielder Kalifa Cisse, 29, after he signed on non-contract terms following a successful trial.
Derby manager Steve McClaren: "This was one of those happy Saturdays when everything you have done in the week works out the way you want.
"There were times when it was simply beautiful to watch.
"The quality of the football for the second and third goals was fabulous and it all stemmed from having the right balance and attitude."
Sheffield Wednesday manager Dave Jones: "Unfortunately, far too many of our players lost their personal battles. Too many seemed to think that after putting five Past Reading a week ago we only had to turn up for it to happen again.
"I am as angry as I have been in a long time. Derby didn't have to earn it, we gave it to them.
"There was a complete absence of communication for their second and third goals. Derby were allowed to walk the ball into our net."
Line-ups
Derby
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Grant
- 33Wisdom
- 3Forsyth
- 34CisséBooked at 61mins
- 6Keogh
- 25Buxton
- 4Bryson
- 19Hughes
- 9MartinSubstituted forSammonat 87'minutes
- 32DawkinsSubstituted forBennettat 78'minutes
- 10WardSubstituted forDaviesat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 2A Smith
- 12Jacobs
- 16Davies
- 17Freeman
- 18Sammon
- 20Bennett
- 24Morch
Sheff Wed
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Kirkland
- 2Buxton
- 3JohnsonBooked at 38mins
- 27McPhailBooked at 28minsSubstituted forCokeat 53'minutes
- 8JohnsonBooked at 29mins
- 5Zayatte
- 7Antonio
- 35OlofinjanaSubstituted forPalmerat 77'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 28Fryatt
- 29Wickham
- 17HelanSubstituted forJohnsonat 53'minutes
Substitutes
- 11Johnson
- 14Coke
- 19Mattock
- 22Palmer
- 26Martinez
- 32Llera
- 34Nuhiu
- Referee:
- David Webb
- Attendance:
- 26,421
Match Stats
Home TeamDerbyAway TeamSheff Wed
- Possession
- Home58%
- Away42%
- Shots
- Home23
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away1
- Corners
- Home10
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home17
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Derby County 3, Sheffield Wednesday 0.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Craig Bryson (Derby County) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Craig Forsyth with a cross.
Booking
Liam Palmer (Sheffield Wednesday) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Will Hughes (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Liam Palmer (Sheffield Wednesday).
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Ben Davies replaces Jamie Ward.
Post update
Kalifa Cissé (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Connor Wickham (Sheffield Wednesday).
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Conor Sammon replaces Chris Martin.
Post update
Attempt missed. Connor Wickham (Sheffield Wednesday) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Post update
Attempt missed. Craig Bryson (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Will Hughes.
Post update
Jamie Ward (Derby County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Kamil Zayatte (Sheffield Wednesday).
Post update
Corner, Sheffield Wednesday. Conceded by Lee Grant.
Post update
Attempt saved. Connor Wickham (Sheffield Wednesday) left footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Roger Johnson with a headed pass.
Post update
Foul by Will Hughes (Derby County).
Post update
Reda Johnson (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Chris Martin (Derby County).
Post update
Kamil Zayatte (Sheffield Wednesday) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
