Derby County put in one of their best away performances of the season after comfortably running out 3-0 winners against Exeter City.
Derby are a point above third-place Bolton Wanderers following this victory, although the Trotters have two games in hand.
The Rams started fast in the contest as they pushed to get the opening goal and it eventually came through a piece of individual brilliance from Max Bird, who was given time and space to find the bottom corner with a peach of a finish.
A deft lob from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing in the second half and a terrific curled finish from substitute Tom Barkhuizen made sure of a statement victory.
Those who impacted the game at the top end of the pitch will have earned plaudits, but it was the display of midfielder Ebou Adams – who has been exceptional since joining on loan from Cardiff City – provided balance to Paul Warne’s side.
Ebou Adams was ‘outstanding again’ v Exeter City
Derby were crying out for a ball-winning machine in midfield and deep into the January transfer window, the signing of Adams certainly ticked that box.
A tenacious and tough-tackling midfielder, who is excellent at reading the game, the 28-year-old has been terrific since arriving at Pride Park and his performance against Exeter epitomised why they signed him once more.
A perfect foil for the technical attributes of Conor Hourihane and Bird, Adams enables them the freedom to maraud forward and impact the game in the final third.
His presence in the middle of the park offers Derby that extra protection and in last night’s victory, he made two tackles, two interceptions and won four of his duels.
It was a defensive performance that gave Warne’s side the platform to attack and they did so with devastating effect, while journalist Leigh Curtis was quick to praise Adams’ display on X.
He wrote: “They always say you should never fall in love with a loan player, but Derby fans and Ebou Adams is like a Mills and Boon novel. Been outstanding again tonight.”
Although you should never fall in love with a loan player, Derby fans are quickly falling in love with their new hero in midfield.
Derby need to sign Adams permanently
Adams has instantly shown how much Derby have missed a player who is brilliant at retaining the ball and flying into challenges.
Throughout this campaign, they were often losers in the midfield battle as Bird and Hourihane were outnumbered or were unable to match their opponents physically.
The addition of the Cardiff man, meanwhile, has given the Rams that balance, especially away from home, where they play on the counter-attack.
He’s exactly what they needed in the engine room and whatever happens between now and the end of the season, he’s a player that Warne should consider signing permanently.
After all, his presence has helped drag Derby closer to their promotion ambitions.