The forward cancelled out Coventry’s opener with a header before the break and then calmly converted from the penalty spot in the second half.
He has seven league goals at Derby, with six coming in 2026. He has also registered three assists and scored against Leeds in the FA Cup this year.
But Derby could not hold on as Jack Rudoni came off the bench to score twice and seal victory for the Sky Blues, who led first through Frank Onyeka.
Ben Brereton Díaz dives in to head home into an empty net! ☄️ pic.twitter.com/Z1IYvlrbp6
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 3, 2026
Brereton Díaz stays ice-cold from the penalty spot 🥶 pic.twitter.com/dEBfd0hmpk
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 3, 2026
Despite Brereton Diaz’s impact, the defeat leaves Derby still three points behind Saints in the race for the play-offs. Saints also have a game in hand.
It caps a positive start to the weekend for Saints, with fellow play-off rivals Hull City and Wrexham both dropping points on Good Friday.
Hull, who sit fifth, were held to a 1-1 draw at Oxford despite taking an early lead, while Wrexham fought back from two down to draw 2-2 at West Brom.
Saints are temporarily seventh, just one point outside the top six, but remain only four points off fifth place with that game in hand still to come.
With a trip to Wrexham up next and a later fixture against Ipswich also in reserve, Saints have a clear chance to take control of their play-off push.