Jack Marriott scored again as Derby County ran Premier League giants Chelsea very close in the EFL Cup.
It seemed that Derby County beat half the Championship to the signing of Jack Marriott in July. But the former Peterborough United man took a while to get going at Pride Park, with manager Frank Lampard preferring other options in the opening weeks of the new season.
Now, however, there is no doubt that Marriott has arrived as a Derby player. A month after his goal helped knock Manchester United out of the EFL Cup at Old Trafford, the 24-year-old once again ran Premier League opposition ragged
Chelsea prevailed 3-2 in a thrilling game at Stamford Bridge but Marriott impressed on Wednesday night. His movement was electric throughout and his first-half goal, drilled coolly into the far corner from a tight angle, was the finish of a natural-born goal-scorer.
Suddenly, the £5 million fee they paid for a striker who had never played higher than League One level looks like a real bargain. In all competitions, Marriott has scored four goals in his last five games, although his tally of 33 for Peterborough last season will take some beating.
No wonder the Derby fans are excited about the future with Marriott leading the line.
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