Match ends, Stoke City 1, Derby County 0.
StokeStoke City1DerbyDerby County0
Jacob Brown's fourth goal of the season, deep into the second half, was enough for Stoke to beat Derby in an uninspiring game in the Potteries.
There was almost nothing to trouble either goalkeeper until Nick Powell's cross to the far post saw Brown's run beat Jason Knight to head home.
Danny Batth almost sealed the points for the home side with another header but it was well saved by Derby goalkeeper Kelle Roos before Brown shot into the side-netting.
Louie Sibley had Derby's best moment but shot wide at the start of the second half.
It was a seventh match without victory for Wayne Rooney's Rams, who are five points above the relegation zone with eight matches remaining.
It means a nervy end to the season may now await despite having previously made good progress under the former England skipper.
They were starved of possession and failed to record a single shot on target, even Rooney's triple substitution with half an hour remaining failed to deliver any inspiration.
Stoke also lacked quality in front of goal and only created one moment from almost 70% of the ball in the first half.
But they found a winner through Powell's delivery that was well met by Brown, who got in front of Derby defender Knight and left Roos no chance with his header.
Stoke remain 10 points off the play-off places with a mid-table finish most likely.
Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill told BBC Radio Stoke:
"We haven't had enough 1-0 wins so it's nice to get one.
"We played well in the first half but just didn't create enough opportunities and didn't get enough good balls into the box.
"Finally we got a good ball into the box from Nick Powell and a great finish from Jacob Brown after a difficult period for him."
Derby County manager Wayne Rooney told BBC Radio Derby:
"We're not on a great run of form but now we have the chance to go away and get a break mentally.
"For me it's a chance to look back on the last few weeks and reassess how we move forward.
"The players before the game didn't believe we were in a relegation battle, but now I think we clearly are."
Line-ups
Stoke
Formation 3-5-2
- 16Davies
- 12Chester
- 36Souttar
- 6Batth
- 14SmithBooked at 21mins
- 4AllenSubstituted forVokesat 79'minutes
- 13Obi
- 34Thompson
- 46Norrington-Davies
- 25PowellSubstituted forClarkeat 82'minutes
- 18BrownSubstituted forTymonat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Gunn
- 9Vokes
- 35Tymon
- 37Forrester
- 43Coates
- 44Norton
- 47Clarke
- 48Malone
- 49Matondo
Derby
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 21Roos
- 2WisdomSubstituted forCresswellat 82'minutesBooked at 88mins
- 15Mengi
- 16Clarke
- 12Byrne
- 38Knight
- 4ShinnieSubstituted forWatsonat 82'minutes
- 26Buchanan
- 23RobertsSubstituted forJozwiakat 64'minutes
- 13Kazim-RichardsSubstituted forLawrenceat 63'minutes
- 17SibleySubstituted forBirdat 63'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Marshall
- 3Forsyth
- 6Edmundson
- 7Jozwiak
- 8Bird
- 10Lawrence
- 34Baningime
- 35Cresswell
- 40Watson
- Referee:
- Jarred Gillett
Match Stats
Home TeamStokeAway TeamDerby
- Possession
- Home61%
- Away39%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away0
- Corners
- Home1
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away17
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Stoke City 1, Derby County 0.
Substitution
Substitution, Stoke City. Josh Tymon replaces Jacob Brown.
Post update
John Obi Mikel (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Max Bird (Derby County).
Booking
Cameron Cresswell (Derby County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Jack Clarke (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Cameron Cresswell (Derby County).
Post update
Attempt missed. Teden Mengi (Derby County) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Derby County. Conceded by Harry Souttar.
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Cameron Cresswell replaces Andre Wisdom.
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Louie Watson replaces Graeme Shinnie.
Substitution
Substitution, Stoke City. Jack Clarke replaces Nick Powell because of an injury.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jacob Brown (Stoke City) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right following a set piece situation.
Post update
Attempt saved. Sam Vokes (Stoke City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tommy Smith.
Substitution
Substitution, Stoke City. Sam Vokes replaces Joe Allen.
Post update
Jacob Brown (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Teden Mengi (Derby County).
Goal!
Goal! Stoke City 1, Derby County 0. Jacob Brown (Stoke City) header from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Nick Powell following a set piece situation.
Post update
Nick Powell (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
