The only goal of the game came in the second half from the hosts' David Ozoh and was enough to secure all three points for the Rams.

Liam Manning made three changes to the side that faced Bristol City on Saturday afternoon, Jeffrey Schlupp, Emiliano Marcondes and Matěj Jurásek making way for Mirko Topić, Liam Gibbs and Jovon Makama.

City started the charge early with back-to-back chances for Gibbs and Schwartau, but Derby's Jacob Widell Zetterström denied both from close-range.

Schwartau then hit the side netting shortly after, all three efforts coming inside five minutes.

As City looked to control the pace of the game, Derby were forced to defend deep in their own half, Zetterström punching away a dangerously placed corner ball from Gibbs.

Jack Stacey, who was enjoying his freedom down the right, found space to shoot from outside the area but fired wide of the Derby post.

Although chances for the hosts were few and far between, Jakov Medić was required to make a superb block to deny John Eustace's side the opener shortly before the half-time whistle.

The second half opened with a free-kick for City deep in Derby's half but Gibbs fired the set-piece over the bar.

Shortly after a huge save from Kovačević, the hosts had the lead through David Ozoh, a powerful strike finding the top right corner shortly before the hour mark.

The City stopper then denied Patrick Agyemang with a header from point-blank range.

Substitute Ante Crnac hit the post in City's most dangerous attack of the second 45, but the Canaries were unable to pounce on the rebound.

The forward was then forced to leave the pitch after sustaining an injury and with City having made substitutes in three different windows, they were down to 10 with three minutes to go.

Derby County: Zetterström; Johnston, Sanderson, Clarke, Elder; Adams (C), Ozoh (Clark 90+2), Brewster (Langås h-t); Agyemang (Jackson 85), Brereton Díaz (Weimann 85), Morris (Salvesen 85).

Unused subs: Vickers, Batth, Blackett-Taylor, Ward.

Goals: Ozoh (55)

Bookings: Sanderson (48), Adams (60)

Norwich City: Kovačević; Stacey, Medić, Darling, McLean (C); Topić (Wright 61), Mattsson, Schwartau (Marcondes 81), Gibbs (Jurásek 76); Makama (Crnac 61), Sargent.

Unused subs: Grimshaw, Fisher, McConville, Schlupp, Springett.

Bookings: Stacey (10)

HT: 0-0

FT: 1-0

Venue: Pride Park

Referee: Ben Toner

Attendance: 25,844