Morris dances through Blades as Derby dishes up a win
Carlton Morris's hat-trick moved Derby County eight points clear of the EFL CHampionship relegation zone as it picked up a 3-1 win away to Sheffield United, which stumbled again.
Derby had lost each of its past four league visits to Bramall Lane, but Morris sent the Rams on their way in the 24th minute as he fired the ball past Michael Cooper.
Morris doubled his and Derby's lead a minute after half-time with a dinked finish into the net, with Alex Matos then handling the ball inside the area just after the hour.
Morris made no mistake from the spot, and while Callum O'Hare's late goal offered the Blades hope, Derby held on for a third successive league victory.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder said he felt like his team was just playing suicidal football at times as their stuttering season continues to confuse him.
"We are killing ourselves. We get in at half-time and the game was going to be the game we thought – counter-attack, Carton Morris, into Carlton Morris, off Carlton Morris," he said.
"That is the way they play, and it's no criticism because I'd rather be their manager tonight than ours.
"They have not really had to work hard for all three of their goals. And we never get gifts like that – a free header inside the six yard box, we never get that clear cut chance that they got [for Morris' second] and it would be nice to get something regarding the penalty decision that they got.
"We have to go again, keep trying harder and keep working harder during the week. I don't think we are a million miles off winning games and being a decent side, but really it's a step back in terms of results over the past two games."
Derby boss John Eustace certainly was the happier of the two managers, and reserved special praise for Morris.
"Since he has come in, he has been exceptional. He is a top professional and real mentor to the rest of the group," Eustace said.
"He is a top leader and top player. At 29 we have got a real top performer and the recruitment in the summer to get him was exceptional.
"He has got a real big part to play from now until the end of the season."
