Lampard talks up Mount’s prospects

Posted Sunday, September 02, 2018 by PA

Derby manager Frank Lampard predicted a big future in the game for Mason Mount after the on-loan Chelsea midfielder impressed in the 2-1 win over Hull.

Mount had shown his promise in the 4-0 Carabao Cup win for the Rams over Hull at the KCOM Stadium on Tuesday when he scored his side’s third goal.

Hull starved him of possession this time around but Lampard praised Mount’s work rate in the Championship victory.

Lampard said: “It might not have been Mason’s best game, he was fantastic in midweek. They stopped us getting the ball into his feet today.

“They know Mason is a big threat and they tried to nullify it.

“We know Mason is going to have a big future.”

Lampard admitted a much-changed Hull side had given a better performance than during the 4-0 thrashing in midweek.

He said: “It was a tough game, the second half was very tough. That’s the Championship.

“Full credit to Hull. They will feel they deserved a draw.

“We showed great character. We were under pressure at times, particularly in the second half.”

Florian Jozefzoon and Martyn Waghorn, who both scored in the 4-0 Carabao Cup win at the KCOM Stadium on Tuesday evening, were on target once again.

Waghorn added to his opening goal on Tuesday with a penalty which had been won by David Nugent.

On-loan Todd Kane, who has spent time away from parent club Chelsea with eight other clubs, brought Hull level in the second half when he was first to Evandro’s pass to shoot past Scott Carson.

Unlike on Tuesday when they had been outplayed, Hull looked value for at least a point and would have gone ahead had Evandro’s close-range effort not been deflected narrowly past the post.

But just as the game looked destined to end in a draw Jozefzoon hit a shot from inside a crowded area which deflected past David Marshall.

The win boosted Derby’s promotion push while defeat kept Hull in the bottom four.

Head coach Nigel Adkins tied to take the positives out of his side’s performance after making numerous changes from Tuesday.

Adkins said: “I thought we were very good today. I talked on Tuesday night about what a good side they were. Today I thought technically we were spot-on.

“The second half in particular we had numerous opportunities but unfortunately we did not take them.

“The atmosphere was excellent. The fans were great and the players did well.”

The penalty came when Nugent went down under a challenge from Jordy de Wijs.

Adkins said: “The penalty looked a very clumsy challenge. David Nugent being an experienced forward has obviously ended up on the floor and the referee has chosen to give a penalty.”

Adkins praised his players who added quality to the hard work on show on Tuesday.

He said: “There were some really good performances against a team who will be in the top six who have invested heavily.

“The passion was there for all to see, the quality was there for all to see and the team spirit was there.”