Derby County are in the thick of the race for the play-offs this season and will still hold hope of competing for automatic promotion back to the top-flight.

Frank Lampard’s side are in a strong position heading into Christmas, and yesterday they capitalised on others slipping up to strengthen that position.

Jack Marriott scored the only goal of the game against Wigan Athletic, with the former Peterborough United forward continuing his encouraging start to life in the second-tier.

The goal was enough for a 1-0 victory, as the 10-man Latics failed to upset the Rams.

It was a second successive victory for Derby, who are going to be full of confidence ahead of next Monday’s East Midland derby with Nottingham Forest at Pride Park.

Looking back on their most recent success, we identify THREE things we’ve learnt about Lampard’s side…

It might’ve taken Marriott time to get himself into Lampard’s starting XI, but he’s shining there now and a key player for the Rams.

The striker has six goals in 15 appearances now, with three in his last five Championship appearances.

If the Rams are to win promotion, they need the 24-year-old firing.

Curtis Davies’ injury was disappointing, and of course, cover is needed in January.

However, Fikayo Tomori and Richard Keogh are good enough to deputise, with the duo helping the Rams to another clean sheet.

Davies will be missed, but it won’t cause too much havoc to the Rams not having their skipper around.

The promotion race is tight this season, but Derby are right in the mix.

We've seen impressive results against the likes of West Brom, and now, it's about consistently picking up points for Lampard's side.

This was another step in the right direction and we should be discussing the Rams in the same way we are Leeds and Norwich.

Watch EFL on Quest every Saturday at 9pm. Also available live and on-demand at quest.co.uk and via the QuestOD app—