RAMS’ KID TO MOUNT LIONS CHALLENGE
QPR Cameron 48 DERBY Marriott 24 MASON MOUNT got an early idea of the new target painted on his back after being called up for England.
But Derby boss Frank Lampard and goalscorer Jack Marriott insist the teenager on loan from Chelsea has the class to cope.
Tightly-marked playmaker Mount’s biggest contribution was a late goalline clearance that earned the Rams a point.
And Lampard, furious with referee David Webb over the freekick leading to QPR’s leveller, was much happier discussing the 19-year-old (above).
Mount is in Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad for the games against Croatia and Spain.
Lampard said: “He’ll have to deal with that extra attention and marking and that is tough.
“But it will all come to him, he’s only 19. He deserves a call-up.”
It was a bitter-sweet afternoon for Marriott, who was delighted to score a first league goal for Derby.
But he said: “We have all been robbed because of that free-kick.
“I wasn’t surprised at all to see Mason called up by England.”
After Marriott’s first-half strike Geoff Cameron equalised when following Luke Freeman’s disputed free-kick Scott Carson saved and Nahki Wells teed up the midfield enforcer. Derby were adamant Fikayo Tomori had got the ball when challenging Ebere Eze.
QPR boss Steve McClaren, who had three spells at Derby as coach and manager, said: “There were two young No.10s, Ebere for us and Mason for Derby – big talents.
“We did a very good job on Mount, and Bradley Johnson did a good job on Ebere.”
Lolley Grabban
JOE LOLLEY says he is having the time of his life leading Forest’s promotion charge.
The 26-year-old has worked his way up from non-League with Littleton five years ago to promotion with Huddersfield.
But Lolley won’t have performed too often as impressively as he did to become the first player to score against Boro at the Riverside in 499 minutes. He got a spectacular goal and an assist to claim Forest’s first away win and shoot them to fifth.
Aitor Karanka’s men have lost only once all season but had drawn too many until their recent run of four wins in six games.
Lolley said: “I’ve probably never been in better form. I love being here at the club and love playing every week.
“The confidence from both the staff and the players helps me on the pitch. This is probably the best I’ve played and hopefully that continues.
“We are in a good vein of form and hopefully it can continue because we have the players to do it.
“It was a brilliant win today because it’s a big test coming here. They don’t lose many games at all so to come away with three points and a clean sheet is perfect.
“We dominated throughout. It felt like we controlled the game in the first half. We just needed to believe in the second half and we did. We looked comfortable and fully deserved it.”
Lolley popped one in from 25 yards (below) before crossing for Lewis Grabban to smash home.
He added: “I work a lot on finishing in training and I was just happy it went in. I felt like I hit it pretty well. I was delighted to see the net ripple.”
Former Boro boss Karanka (inset) said of Lolley: “I am really pleased for him because sometimes other players get the headlines but he is a player who helps us a lot. He knows the league. He is not young but he is not old either and he has experience. He got promotion with Huddersfield.” Karanka expected Tony Pulis’s Boro side to adopt long-ball tactics because Forest rarely handle that well. Instead the Teessiders were “lethargic” according to defender George Friend.
He said: “We were poor first half. We were second to everything and a bit disjointed.
“The first goal was an incredible finish and that shocked us a bit. But we know we are a good side and we can push on and get right to the top of that table.”
Boro, who missed the chance to go top, are now fourth and Friend said: “If we are that high up without hitting form, imagine where we’ll be when we do.
“We have got a really fit and strong group. We have shown that in the first 12 games. I would ask the fans to stick with us.” MOTM JOE LOLLEY (N FOREST)