Pride Park Stadium
Derby County earned a point in a 1-1 draw against Southampton with positive performance in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon.
Adam Armstrong gave Southampton the lead after seven minutes at Pride Park Stadium, but striker Patrick Agyemang’s header in the 39th minute - his first since joining the club in the summer - made it 1-1 before half-time.
Kayden Jackson came close with ten minutes to go for Derby, but for a reaction save from Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy that kept the scoreline at 1-1.
The result sees the Rams go into the October international break undefeated in four of their last five matches in the Championship and a habit of picking up points as Derby's new-look side moulds together.
Southampton came close early on as a sharp move down the flank in the fifth minute was started by Ryan Manning at left-back and, after five passes, he ran into space and received the ball in the penalty area before unleashing a shot that went just wide
Manning was again the man providing the threat a minute later as the visitors had a free-kick from 25 yards out, which he hit with a left-footed effort that forced a save from Derby goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström.
The Saints imprinted their strong start to the match as Armstrong manoeuvred inside the box and unleashed a low shot into the back of the net, despite being hounded by a number of Rams defenders, to open the scoring.
Derby nearly provided an immediate response as Bobby Clark slotted Andi Weimann in behind in the eighth minute. Weimann poked the ball goalwards but was thwarted by a reaction save from goalkeeper McCarthy before Carlton Morris saw his shot from the rebound go wide of the post.
The Rams came near once more as Max Johnston delivered the ball back into the box from the second phase of the resulting corner. The right-back's delivery swung dangerously into the area for Dion Sanderson to attack, but the ball just evaded the defender’s head.
Morris’ effort in the 13th-minute saw Derby continue their push for an equaliser, fashioned as the striker cut inside and swung a curling right-footed effort towards goal from the edge of the area, but it was met equally by McCarthy, who parried wide.
Morris was again the architect in the 17th minute, as a tidy pass to the left flank launched a well-constructed move with Craig Forsyth, Clark and Johnston combining to get the ball to Weimann inside the area, but the forward’s effort was saved from close range.
After the pressure had mounted, the visitors held a spell of possession that quietened the Rams’ advances.
Zetterström made a vital save in the 26th minute when Manning swung a cross perfectly into the path of striker Ross Stewart. The striker headed the ball hard and low, but the Swedish shot-stopper got a strong hand to it.
Derby deservedly got back level as the clock ticked down towards the end of the first half. The towering Agyemang met a ball that Weimann hung in the air from the right with a thumping header to equalise in the 40th minute, after Weimann’s quick thinking from a throw-in by Johnston fashioned the chance. It was Agyemang's first goal since his summer move from Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC and on his third start and fifth appearance overall.
Southampton twice came close to a quick response after the goal, as Léo Scienza and substitute Tom Fellow both had shots thwarted in the closing stages of the first half.
Both teams came out of the gates looking lively in the second period. Armstrong came close with a shot that flew wide for the Saints, while a neat move down the left saw for Derby a dangerous cross into the box from Forsyth, which McCarthy collected.
Agyemang struck near in the 57th minute as Morris’ strong hold-up
play allowed him to play the American through at a tight angle, but his effort hit
the side netting.
At the other end, Armstrong again proved to be the danger-man for Southampton as he latched onto a waist-high cross from Ryan Fraser with a first-time effort, the striker looked to curve the ball but sent it wide of the post.
David Ozoh’s ball carrying provided another chance in the 65th minute, as he drove up the pitch and handed off to Forsyth, whose cross met the head of Morris to see the ball bounce just the wrong side of the post.
Head Coach John Eustace made changes during the second half as Rhian Brewster came on in the 69th minute alongside Ebou Adams, with Clark and Ozoh making way, and they were joined by Kayden Jackson and Joe Ward in the 79th minute as Weimann and Agyemang were replaced.
Jackson came agonisingly close to getting Derby in front
moments after coming on as Brewster played him over the top, and his shot
towards the top corner was stopped superbly by McCarthy.
Substitute Adams made a vital block as Southampton had their first attack for an extended period as they broke on Derby. Armstrong had carried the ball and aimed for goal, but the midfielder saw the shot away from danger with a key defensive action.
Lars-Jørgen Salvesen came on up front for Derby late on in place of Morris up front, but Fellows came close to getting a winner for the Saints as struck towards goal in added time, but the impressive Zetterström saved excellently to deny him at his near post to ensure the Rams picked up a point for their efforts following a strong display.
Derby County: Zetterström (GK), Forsyth, Clarke, Agyemang (Jackson 79), Morris (Salvesen 85), Weimann (Ward 79), Ozoh (Adams 69), Johnston, Travis (C), Sanderson, Clark (Brewster 69).
Unused Substitutes: Vickers (GK), Batth, Nyambe, Wheeldon.
Southampton: McCarthy (GK), Manning, Armstrong, Stewart (Fellows 30), Edwards, Scienza (Downs 60), Wood, Quarshie, Jander, Charles (Downes 79), Fraser (Azaz 79).
Unused Substitutes: Bazunu (GK), Roerslev, Harwood-Bellis, Azaz, Archer, Jelert.
29,573 (3,117 Southampton supporters).
The Rams will return to Sky Bet Championship action following the October international break when they head to the Kassam Stadium to face Oxford United on Saturday 18th October (12:30pm kick-off).
