Derby County bounced back from defeat at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday afternoon with a comfortable 2-0 win over Exeter City on Tuesday night, with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing starring.
The Guatemalan came in for his first start in a Rams shirt since before the international break, only coming off the bench against Shrewsbury after returning from international duty late last week.
Mendez-Laing got on the scoresheet, scoring on the half hour mark, before Conor Washington struck in the 79th minute to secure all three points at Pride Park.
Derby star gives his ‘best performance’
How good Mendez-Laing’s performance was clear for all to see, including Derby Telegraph journalist Leigh Curtis, who posted on his X account (formerly known as Twitter):
“Derby comfortable winners tonight against Exeter City. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s best performance of the season by a country mile and Max Bird excellent. Wilson and Nyambe were very good too.”
He also gave Mendez-Laing an 8.5/10 in his player ratings, saying: “Best game of the season by a long, long, way and it was great to see him going past players with such grace. Deserved his goal which will do his confidence the power of good. His work off the ball was great too. 8.5.”
Mendez-Laing showing his quality once again
Mendez-Laing has always been a player for Derby that has been a danger for opposition team with his raw pace, power and dribbling ability.
He made more dribbles than anyone else in the game, making seven.
He came in on the left hand side in place of Tom Barkhuizen, who was dropped to the bench.
Mendez-Laing is usually a right winger, but he showed that he can be at his best on either wing.