Swansea City 2-3 Derby County: Wales' Tom Lawrence strikes winner for Rams

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Conor Gallagher of Swansea City and Derby County's Matthew Clarke compete for the ballImage source, Huw Evans agency
Image caption,

Conor Gallagher of Swansea City and Derby County's Matthew Clarke compete for the ball

Tom Lawrence powered in Derby County's winner as the Rams fought back from 2-1 down at Swansea City in the Championship.

Derby took the lead against the run of play when Martyn Waghorn scored from close range off a rebound.

Yan Dhanda equalised and Kyle Naughton put the hosts ahead before Duane Holmes hit back.

Wales international Lawrence struck the winner as Derby stayed 13th while Swansea dropped a spot to eighth.

It was only Derby's second away win of 2019-20 in the league, the first coming on the opening day of the campaign.

Wales defender Connor Roberts returned for the Swans after recovering from a shoulder injury while Routledge took over from injured Bersant Celina.

Jason Knight took Chris Martin's spot up front in an otherwise unchanged Rams starting line-up.

Lawrence had an early impact, his 25-yard shot deflected to the post by home stopper Freddie Woodman.

Waghorn followed up to tap in the opener, his 10th of the season.

The hosts were lacklustre in attack until Dhanda's arrival off the bench. He stole possession off Knight, took the attack to the Rams and sent in a low equaliser.

A defensive mix-up helped Naughton put the Swans ahead, Rhian Brewster providing the assist.

However, the hosts' lead was shortlived after Woodman dealt with Waghorn's effort before Holmes struck.

George Bird counter-attacked after intercepting a Wayne Routledge pass, Waghorn took the move on and Lawrence fired home the winner to leave Phillip Cocu's men seven points off the play-off zone.

To compound Swansea's misery, south Wales rivals Cardiff City took over in eighth spot after their 1-0 win at bottom club Luton.

Swansea City boss Steve Cooper:

"We are frustrated with not just losing the game, but how it happened.

"I felt we were good value to go 2-1 up and then we have reverted back to where we were in the first half and made some poor mistakes for the goals.

"We shot ourselves in the foot really, I think we've given the three points to Derby rather then them earning them, and that's no disrespect to them."

Derby County manager Philip Cocu:

"I decided to change it because I thought it was needed to get back into the game.

Curtis (Davies) and (Graeme) Shinnie came on, gave some more energy and balance in the team.

In the end a great win, we came back with an equaliser and Tom (Lawrence) scored the winner."

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