Hull City vs Derby County: Jacob Butterfield puts slick Derby on summit of Championship

Hull City 0 Derby County 2: Butterfield’s finishing was excellent, his left-foot serving him well with a crisp volley

Jacob Butterfield scores the second goal for Derby County (Reuters)

Derby County’s promotion challenge has an authentic feel to it again with the blip that marred their last Friday night outing in front of the television cameras seemingly put to bed.

The surprise defeat at the hands of struggling neighbours Nottingham Forest that preceded the last international break is the only blemish in a 13-match run that includes 10 victories and now sees Paul Clement’s team leading the Championship after deposing Hull City at the KC Stadium last night. The result ended a run of 11 unbeaten by Steve Bruce’s side, highlighting the fierce competition at the top of the table.

A bright, positive start by Derby was rewarded with a goal after 18 minutes, their lead doubled by half-time.Both goals were driven home left-footed by Jacob Butterfield, the first after a burst through the middle by Andreas Weimann had been repelled only for the ball to run straight into the path of his midfield colleague, whose finish was emphatic.

Hull responded with vigour but it had been Derby’s game in the opening exchanges, with Cyrus Christie and George Thorne going close. The home side’s vulnerability to a swift counter-attack was clear and another failure to cover a supporting run cost them again when Butterfield scored for second time, the midfielder reaching the ball first after a Christie cross was headed away but only to the edge of the box. Again, Butterfield’s finishing was excellent, his left-foot serving him well with a crisp volley that Allan McGregor could not keep out.

At least Hull now began to threaten a goal back, drawing Scott Carson twice into action, the goalkeeper punching away a Tom Huddlestone long-ranger that moved wildly in the wind before producing a top-class save to deny Abel Hernandez.

After the break there was always a feeling that one goal might open the game up again, possibly to Hull’s advantage. Twice in the space of two of three minutes there was real encouragement for the home crowd. In the 62nd minute, Shaun Maloney’s left-foot shot was only a few inches wide. Moments later, the ball broke loose to Maloney in the box, the Scot’s well struck shot was met with a fine save by Carson to deflect it over the top.

Hull City (4-3-2-1): McGregor; Elmohamady, Maguire, Davies (Aluko, 75), Odubajo (Akpom, 75); Huddlestone, Livermore, Clucas; Diame (Hayden, 82), Maloney; Hernandez. Substitutes not used: Jakupovic (gk), Bruce, Taylor, Snodgrass.

Derby County (4-3-3): Carson; Christie, Keogh, Shackell, Warnock; Hendrick, Thorne, Butterfield (Bryson ,69); Ince, Martin, Weimann (Russell, 82). Substitutes not used: Grant (gk), Bryson, Bent, Baird, Pearce, Shotton.

Referee: G Eltringham (Co Durham)