Match ends, Derby County 2, Charlton Athletic 0.
DerbyDerby County2CharltonCharlton Athletic0
Derby County maintained their two-point lead at the top of the Championship with a 2-0 win over Charlton.
The Rams took the lead after nine minutes when Jeff Hendrick turned in Darren Bent's cross from close range.
Hendrick turned provider as Derby doubled their advantage soon after, with Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard converting his through ball for his first Derby goal.
Charlton had won their last two games but could not muster a fightback.
Derby's win takes them five points clear of third place, strengthening their grip on an automatic promotion place.
Steve McClaren's side could have enjoyed a more comfortable victory, but Hendrick's shot from the edge of the area in first-half stoppage time rattled the crossbar.
Charlton went closest when Lee Grant tipped over Johann Berg Gudmundsson's free-kick.
Derby are now unbeaten in their last seven Championship matches.
Derby manager Steve McClaren: "In certain spells we looked excellent but what also impressed me was we looked solid at the back. I think we are a good team with the ball but tonight we looked a good team without the ball.
"We've still got a lot to do but our midfield is very strong, our bench is good, we can make changes and our loan signings have come in and done well. So I hope we haven't seen the best of this team, I think that's still to come and today I think they showed a maturity and kept in control."
Charlton manager Guy Luzon: "I think Derby totally deserved to win and played very well, especially in the first 30 minutes but we were not organised well and left gaps between the lines and they used it well.
"After 30 minutes we came back and organised better but it's not enough against a team like Derby, with their quality. You have to concentrate from the first minute and not for 60 or 55 minutes. They deserve to be in the Premier League and I think they are the best team in this league."
Line-ups
Derby
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Grant
- 2Christie
- 6Keogh
- 32Shotton
- 3Forsyth
- 8Hendrick
- 34ThorneSubstituted forMascarellat 71'minutes
- 19HughesSubstituted forBrysonat 76'minutes
- 23Ince
- 39Bent
- 16LingardSubstituted forDawkinsat 69'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Bryson
- 5Buxton
- 7Dawkins
- 10Ward
- 21Roos
- 29Thomas
- 33Mascarell
Charlton
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Henderson
- 20Solly
- 26Ben Haim
- 22Johnson
- 21Fox
- 7Berg Gudmundsson
- 2WilsonSubstituted forDiarraat 45'minutes
- 17Buyens
- 8BulotSubstituted forEaglesat 68'minutes
- 14Vetokele
- 32WattSubstituted forHarriottat 71'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Gomez
- 6Bikey Amougou
- 9Eagles
- 11Harriott
- 12Diarra
- 36Dmitrovic
- 40Lepoint
- Referee:
- David Coote
- Attendance:
- 28,277
Match Stats
Home TeamDerbyAway TeamCharlton
- Possession
- Home67%
- Away33%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away3
- Corners
- Home2
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home6
- Away6
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Derby County 2, Charlton Athletic 0.
Post update
Offside, Derby County. Simon Dawkins tries a through ball, but Craig Bryson is caught offside.
Post update
Jeff Hendrick (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Chris Eagles (Charlton Athletic).
Post update
Corner, Derby County. Conceded by Alou Diarra.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jeff Hendrick (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Offside, Derby County. Omar Mascarell tries a through ball, but Darren Bent is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt missed. Johann Berg Gudmundsson (Charlton Athletic) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
Post update
Foul by Omar Mascarell (Derby County).
Post update
Chris Eagles (Charlton Athletic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Craig Bryson replaces Will Hughes.
Substitution
Substitution, Charlton Athletic. Callum Harriott replaces Tony Watt.
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Omar Mascarell replaces George Thorne.
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Simon Dawkins replaces Jesse Lingard.
Substitution
Substitution, Charlton Athletic. Chris Eagles replaces Frédéric Bulot.
Post update
Tom Ince (Derby County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Morgan Fox (Charlton Athletic).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Tom Ince (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Cyrus Christie.
Post update
Foul by Craig Forsyth (Derby County).
