Cava-go hero as Rams jinx shattered

WOLVES head coach Nuno Espirito Santo praised his players’ work ethic after a convincing performance.

Goals from Barry Douglas and Ivan Cavaleiro condemned a Derby side short on craft and invention to only a second home defeat in 19 league matches.

Wolves had crumbled on their previous three visits to Pride Park but they were strong from the start and only poor finishing prevented them winning by more.

Derby created little and were always chasing the game after a low drive by Douglas was deflected past Scott Carson in the

32nd minute.

John Ruddy turned behind a Johnny Russell shot at the start of the second half but Diogo Jota and Leo Bonatini wasted excellent chances before Wolves made their superiority count in the

76th minute.

The visitors broke quickly with Bright Enobakhare sending Jota in to square the ball to Cavaleiro who scored from three yards to ease the memory of his red card at this ground last season.

Santo said: “There is still a long way to go and a lot of work to do but the boys did a fantastic job and we are getting there.

“From day one they knew what we wanted but the talent must be supported by a lot of discipline and the boys have this culture of working to get better each day.

“We always start from the back and be solid and balanced and the boys are getting the message.”

Derby manager Gary Rowett said: “It was disappointing. We struggled to create enough chances and we couldn’t find that bit of quality to unlock the door.

“I just felt too many times today we had the ball wide and we crossed it to no man’s land, we had the ball in the final third but didn’t have the ability to create a chance.

“Wolves are a good side but I was really disappointed with lots of our game and we certainly have to take an awful lot more responsibility.

“We have to do a lot of things better, we didn’t work enough and we weren’t aggressive enough.”