The main talking points from Pride Park’s victory over Middlesbrough, which ensures the Rams are up and running in the Championship.
Derby County won their first Championship game since promotion thanks to Kayden Jackson’s second goal of the season against Middlesbrough at Pride Park.
The attacker broke the deadlock in the first half, capitalizing on Isaiah Jones’ mistake to round Seny Dieng and send Pride Park into a frenzy. Boro had been active going forwards up to that point, with Latte Lath meeting an Isaiah Jones cross at the back post but unable to redirect it on target.
Derby had their moments, too, and Jackson pushed Dieng into a save with a shot from just inside the Boro box after Paul Warne’s side forced the visitors to make a mistake. But the breakthrough came when Jones made a sloppy back pass to Dieng, which was intercepted by Jackson, who still had half of the pitch to run. However, he maintained his calm admirably to slide in the opener.
Derby were subsequently forced to alter their pack due to Eiran Cashin’s head injury and Kane Wilson’s hamstring ailment, bringing on Sonny Bradley and Ryan Nyambe. Those substitutions looked to upset Derby for a moment as Boro began to dominate, with Finn Azaz coming close on many occasions and Jones having a shot saved by Vickers.
Ben Osborn’s attempt was deflected wide of the post early in the second half as Derby sought a second goal. Boro then gained control, with Azaz shooting wide before Rams goalkeeper Josh Vickers had to be alert to tip a Hayden Hackney effort over the crossbar. Delano Burgzorg believed he had brought the visitors level with a header, but he was called offside. The Boro striker then hit the woodwork with a deflected attempt as Derby dug in to maintain their lead and grab all three points.
Up and running
Middlesbrough are a well-established Championship side, and if you read social media in the lead-up to this game, Derby were largely written off by those who believed Michael Carrick’s side would be far too strong.
And that is true when you look at their roster, which is stacked with talent that will most likely battle for a spot in the top six by the season’s finish.
Derby’s victory, however, was not based on talent, but rather on heart, and there was enough of it everywhere. Ben Osborn patrolled midfield like a terrier on postman duty, Curtis Nelson was a towering aerial presence at the rear, and keeper Josh Vickers had his best performance for the club to date.
Derby had to rely on their luck at times, especially after Boro hit the woodwork in the second half and had a goal ruled out for offside. Despite Boro’s possession, Derby fought with everything they had, and the crowd added to their character.
Following the shock of Blackburn’s defeat, Paul Warne’s side needed to win their first Championship game as soon as possible. Yes, it was hardly a football heaven, and hard labor was valued more than slick possession and passes. But everyone participated, and no one could fault the Rams for their victory, given how hard they fought for the entire 90 minutes.
Warne request granted
Paul Warne revealed before the game that the Rams fans played an important role, and boy did they deliver. They were loud and proud, and when Derby needed them to stick with the squad, they more than delivered.
There is a growing recognition that Derby’s goal this season is to survive, and that in terms of squad depth, they cannot compete with the majority of second-tier teams. Boro, for example, had the luxury of a £4.5 million striker on the bench.
But what does make a difference is Pride Park’s power, which we observed in all of its majesty. Warne was quick to applaud the crowd for their effect, especially since they did not become agitated when Boro tried to identify flaws in the armour.
They just continued singing, and in the final phases, each cheer was like a shot of energy for a squad who was giving their all. They eventually become as crucial as the players since anxiety in the fans generally spreads to the players during these tough games. That absolutely did not happen here.
Sympathy for Cashin
As much as it will surely enrage Eiran Cashin, who was clearly upset based on his reaction, it was the correct call to replace him following such a terrible knock to the head.
The way he remained immobile after colliding with Callum Elder in the first half, then attempted to lift his head only to lay it back down again, was cause for alarm. Paul Warne nailed it when he described it as terrifying. If Cashin had been in a boxing ring and acted like that, the referee would have immediately stopped the bout.
The player’s safety is always prioritized. If he had been permitted to continue and then fallen again, Derby would have faced a lot of criticism for failing to consider his safety. It was the best thing to do under the circumstances, but you could see why Cashin was upset because he was playing brilliantly in the heart of the back four. Everyone will sympathise with him, but there was no point in taking any risks. Head injuries are serious business.
Vickers the hero but decision looms
Amid all the excitement surrounding Jacob Widell Zetterstrom’s arrival, there were worries about whether he would replace Josh Vickers after ultimately completing his move from Djurgarden.
However, Paul Warne has rarely thrown a new acquisition right into the team, with Ebou Adams being an example last season at Charlton Athletic. So Zetterstrom had to watch this game from the bench, where he saw Vickers play his greatest game since joining the club.
He was courageous on crosses, made a great save in the second half, and rarely missed a beat in his man-of-the-match performance.
What Warne has now consider is whether to stick or twist in his decision for Watford next week, and it will be fascinating to see what he does after Vickers was outstanding against Boro. It’s a terrible decision to have to make, but that’s why the manager and his coaches make so much money.