Some Derby County supporters have taken to Twitter to lavish praise on Duane Holmes following his performance in the 1-0 win over Hull City.
The Rams battled to a hard-fought victory over their Championship rivals. Defender Matt Clarke scored the only goal of the game, nodding in Tom Lawrence’s corner.
Hull will rue a glorious chance wasted by Jarrod Bowen. However, aside from that, the Tigers created little in a game which ebbed and flowed without much goalmouth action.
Clarke will grab the plaudits for his goal and for helping the Rams to a clean sheet. But it was midfielder Holmes who was arguably Derby’s standout performer.
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Holmes signed from Scunthorpe United in the summer of 2018.
He missed Derby’s opening games this season through injury and it seems he has now finally found his fitness and form following a struggling period over November and December.
Holmes, moving to a central position, helped Derby improve and rescue a point at Middlesbrough with a last-minute strike. Against Hull, he followed that up with a superb display.
The USA international broke up play with four tackles. On the ball, he posted three successful take-ons and an 80.7% pass-accuracy rate as he drove Derby forward.
Holmes is blessed with pace and trickery. When he goes through the gears, he can glide past the opposition and create plenty of space for his teammates.
Derby will hope he can continue his rich vein of form ahead of three games in eight days.
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