Derby County climbed into the Championship play-off places as second-half goals from Rhian Brewster and Patrick Agyemang secured a 2-0 victory over Swansea City.

Swansea were the better side in the first period but fell behind almost immediately after the break when Brewster drilled in from close range after a Callum Elder corner.

The second goal came in similar fashion, Agyemang rising above Marko Stamenic to head home his 10th goal of the season from another Elder corner.

Derby's fourth victory in their past six matches – and only their second in nine home league outings - means John Eustace's side rise five places in the table to sixth.

Swansea are six points adrift of the play-off spots – and 10 clear of the bottom three – in 16th after losing for just the second time in six games.

The Swans ought to have led after dominating the first half, but lacked the quality in the final third to deliver a breakthrough as Eom Jisung shot over and Liam Cullen curled a free-kick just the wrong side of the post.

For all Swansea's control, it was Lawrence Vigouroux who made the one save of the first period, the Chile international diving to his left to repel Joe Ward's free-kick.

Derby were in need of an improvement after the break, and they duly seized the initiative when former Swansea player Brewster scored at the second attempt having seen his initial header blocked.

Swansea faded after Agyemang gave Derby the cushion of a two-goal advantage, although substitute Gustavo Nunes might have set up a tense finish when he burst down the left and drew a decent save from Vickers.

Eustace celebrated 12 months in charge at Pride Park earlier this week, with significant progress made during his tenure given that the club were in a relegation scrap this time last year.

The issue this season for Derby has been home form, so this was a very welcome victory against opponents who have been in good form.

Vitor Matos' improving Swansea side caused the Rams plenty of problems, particularly before the break, but it was Derby's set-piece threat which proved decisive.

Eustace's team have now scored in 22 successive league games, the longest current sequence in the top four divisions.

Once Brewster ensured that run would continue with his third goal in as many matches, Swansea did not look like finding a way of boosting their relatively slim play-off chances.

Derby head coach John Eustace:

"First half the gaps between front and back were too big which was disappointing. Every time we won the ball back, we lost a duel or were a little slower in possession which gave them the emphasis of the game.

"But they didn't rally cause us any issues. Second half we changed one or two things and our shape was much more connected.

"We spoke about how we'd look to beat them on set-pieces and today was very much a set-piece game.

"We haven't won at home consistently enough this year and the main thing was to make sure we won the game."

Swansea head coach Vitor Matos:

"In the Championship, set-pieces are really massive. We knew that – we are using them as well at the moment.

"Derby scored from a set-piece and that changed a little bit the game.

"First half I thought we were really good, especially the way we control, aggression, counter-pressing was brilliant. We got some situations where we can be effective and they are what we need to grab.

"Then it's about how can we react to a set-piece goal. We made some steps to get back [into the game], then the second goal was tough for us.

"It's important that we grab the good things and keep improving the other ones. Today was clear that we have to keep improving set-pieces."