Sam Winnall has labelled his stunning strike in Derby County’s 2-1 victory at Ipswich Town as the best of his career so far.
The striker hit a double as Derby claimed all three points at Portman Road to round off 2017 on a high note.
The on-loan Sheffield Wednesday frontman headed the Rams ahead early on, before doubling their lead with a superb effort from distance just after half-time.
His right-foot effort, from around 25 yards out, left home goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski rooted to the spot as the ball flew into the top corner to send the 1,300 Rams fans wild.
Derby were made to work for the points as Joe Garner headed a goal back midway through the second half, but Gary Rowett’s side held firm to move up to second place in the Sky Bet Championship.
As a result of his two-goal haul, Winnall has now scored 90 goals in his professional career - and says he hasn’t scored any better than his second against the Tractor Boys.
He told RamsTV: “It was a good one and probably the best I have scored in my career so far.
“I was full of confidence after scoring the first goal and it felt right to hit it. It flew in and I am buzzing with it!”
Winnall grasped the opportunity to impress Rowett with both hands in his first start since early November.
The former Barnsley man has had to patiently wait in the wings with in-form Matej Vydra and David Nugent linking up well in attack for the majority of the campaign so far.
Fired up to prove his worth from a personal point of view, the 26-year-old was well aware that the main priority was to help the team to another impressive result.
He said: “I have said before it is frustrating as a player when you aren’t playing; no player is happy sitting on the bench.
“I’ve been speaking to the manager regularly and all I’ve been wanting is my chance. I knew it was important to take it when it came along.
“I felt I was ready to help the team. I feel I’ve kind of proved today that I can do a job for the team, which is the priority, when called upon.”
Reviewing the game itself, Winnall felt Derby showed two sides to their game to claim a fifth win from six matches during December.
A dominant first-half showing should have seen the Rams more goals to the good, but they were unable to make the most of the opportunities that they created.
After Ipswich pulled a goal back just after the hour mark, Derby then had to roll up their sleeves and show the resilient side of their game to come out on top.
Winnall said: “We were really good in the first half and we should have been out of sight with the chances that we created.
“The second half was a bit different and we had to dig in and produce a workman-like performance a little bit.
“We showed both sides to our game today and credit to the players and staff that, even when our backs are against the wall a little bit, we can see games out and get the points.”
