Derby skipper Tom Lawrence took his tally for the season to seven goals
Tom Lawrence hit a second-half double to help troubled Derby off the bottom of the Championship table with victory over Sheffield United.
The Rams captain wriggled clear of a gaggle of defenders and then beat another two before beating goalkeeper Wes Foderingham with a left-foot finish to put the hosts ahead.
Wales international Lawrence then doubled the lead with a sensational second, curling a left-footed finish into the top corner after being teed up by Craig Forsyth.
The win - a year to the day since Wayne Rooney took permanent charge - lifted Derby above Barnsley on goal difference, despite the Rams having had 21 points deducted this season.
- Relive Saturday's EFL action
Rooney went into his anniversary match fresh from the second transfer embargo of his year in charge at Pride Park that has also brought two separate points deductions, failed takeover bids and administration.
This week, Derby's administrators were told to show the English Football League how they intend to fund the club until the end of the season.
Derby have responded well to setbacks this season - following their second points deduction of the season by beating promotion contenders Bournemouth - and the Rams showed the same spirit to secure a fourth win in an unbeaten five-match league run.
The visitors, led by assistant managers Stuart McCall and Jack Lester after boss Paul Heckingbottom tested positive for Covid-19, edged a first half low on clear chances, with Billy Sharp guiding a close-range header straight at Derby goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.
The Blades, who arrived on a winning four-match run, faded in the second half as the home side improved.
Chances remained at a premium until Lawrence stepped up with two fine goals in nine minutes, both with his weaker foot.
Derby's eighth win of the season moves them up to 23rd, eight points adrift of safety, while United's first defeat in six matches drops them to 14th.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsDerby
Formation 4-3-3
31Allsop2Byrne16Stearman33Davies36Ebosele38Knight8Bird42Thompson7Józwiak48Plange10Lawrence
- 31Allsop2Byrne16Stearman33Davies36Ebosele38Knight8Bird42Thompson7JózwiakSubstituted forForsythat 45'minutes48PlangeSubstituted forKazim-Richardsat 60'minutes10LawrenceBooked at 78minsSubstituted forCashinat 83'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Forsyth11Morrison13Kazim-Richards17Sibley21Roos41Cashin47Robinson
Sheff Utd
Formation 3-4-1-2
18Foderingham6Basham12Egan19Robinson20Bogle8Berge16Norwood33Norrington-Davies17McGoldrick10Sharp29Ndiaye
- 18Foderingham6Basham12Egan19RobinsonSubstituted forOsbornat 83'minutes20Bogle8BergeSubstituted forHourihaneat 68'minutes16Norwood33Norrington-Davies17McGoldrickSubstituted forBrewsterat 68'minutes10Sharp29NdiayeBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 3Stevens7Brewster14Burke23Osborn24Hourihane31Eastwood34Gordon
Referee:Graham ScottAttendance:24,597Match StatsHome TeamDerbyAway TeamSheff UtdPossessionHome44%Away56%ShotsHome5Away8Shots on TargetHome2Away2CornersHome1Away0FoulsHome7Away13Live TextPost update
Match ends, Derby County 2, Sheffield United 0.
90'+5'Full Time
Second Half ends, Derby County 2, Sheffield United 0.
90'+3'Booking
Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.
90'+3'Post update
Foul by Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United).
90'+3'Post update
Festy Ebosele (Derby County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
87'Post update
Foul by John Egan (Sheffield United).
87'Post update
Colin Kazim-Richards (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
83'Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Ben Osborn replaces Jack Robinson.
83'Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Eiran Cashin replaces Tom Lawrence because of an injury.
79'Post update
Offside, Sheffield United. Rhian Brewster tries a through ball, but Billy Sharp is caught offside.
78'Booking
Tom Lawrence (Derby County) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
78'goalGoal!
Goal! Derby County 2, Sheffield United 0. Tom Lawrence (Derby County) left footed shot from the right side of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Festy Ebosele.
73'Post update
Foul by Jayden Bogle (Sheffield United).
73'Post update
Craig Forsyth (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
69'goalGoal!
Goal! Derby County 1, Sheffield United 0. Tom Lawrence (Derby County) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.
68'Post update
Rhys Norrington-Davies (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
68'Post update
Foul by Festy Ebosele (Derby County).
68'Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Conor Hourihane replaces Sander Berge.
68'Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Rhian Brewster replaces David McGoldrick.
62'Post update
Attempt missed. Craig Forsyth (Derby County) header from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner.
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Source: bbc.com