Derby County are on course to consolidate their lead at the top of the Championship table, having taken a 2-0 lead into half time of their clash with Charlton Athletic this evening.

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The league leaders were ahead inside 10 minutes as Will Hughes and Darren Bent combined to set up Jeff Hendrick, who finished the move by sweeping home from close range.

Tom Ince almost built on his productive start to life at the club shortly afterwards when he curled an effort towards goal from 20 yards, but the ball skipped narrowly past the post.

Hendrick then turned provider for the hosts' second of the evening, setting Jesse Lingard through on goal, and the Manchester United loanee made no mistake in slotting home on his full debut for the Rams.

The hosts continued to control proceedings and almost got a third with just under 10 minutes to go in the half, only for Hughes's curling effort to go just wide.

Charlton looked to rally in the closing stages of the half, with Chris Solly and Johann Berg Gudmundsson both testing Lee Grant in quick succession.

They couldn't find a response before the break, however, leaving Derby in charge at the break.