Watford down Rooney’s Derby to bolster promotion push

LONDON: Waford boosted their bid for promotion to the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Wayne Rooney’s Derby at Vicarage Road on Friday.

The Hornets moved level on points with second placed Brenford in the Championship thanks to two goals in quick succession in the first half.

Joao Pedro put Waford ahead and Will Hughes increased their lead two minutes later.

Rooney’s visitors pulled one back late in the second half when William Troost-ekong scored an own goal, but Waford held on to remain firmly in contention for an immediate return to the top tier ater last season’s relegation.

The Rams are in 17th place, six points above the relegation zone as former Manchester United and England star Rooney fights to secure their survival in his first managerial role.

“It was a brilliant first half, we played excellently. In the second half when they scored they gave us difficulties until the last minute but it was a good performance,” Waford head coach Xisco Munoz told BBC.

“We can play beter, that’s for sure, but we have a good spirit. Now it is important to have a good recovery because we need to continue. It was difficult when I arrived because we would have been 12 points behind if we had lost against Norwich, but everyone has worked hard and played with passion. I feel very happy with everyone,” he added.

A third win in a row sees Waford leapfrog Swansea and move to within four points of leaders Norwich, who host Rotherham, while Derby’s six-point buffer over the botom three could be reduced to three points ater Saturday’s games.

“We conceded two very sloppy goals and I think our reaction to conceding the goal needs to be beter - we lost our focus and concentration and that’s cost us in the end,” said Rooney.

“Secondhalfweshowedagreatreaction-ithought we dominated the second half and on another day could’ve got something out of the game. It’s clear for everyone to see that it was a good goal and I still don’t know why it’s been disallowed, maybe the keeper was geting a bit too much protection, but these things happen,” he added.