Swansea.com Stadium
Derby County picked up their sixth win in seven matches with a 2-1 success at Swansea City in the Sky Bet Championship on Tuesday night.
After a bright start from the hosts, under the management of Vitor Matos following his appointment on Monday, the Rams grew into the game on a freezing evening in South Wales.
John Eustace’s side took the lead in the closing stages of the first period through wing-back Joe Ward as he headed home at the far post from Callum Elder’s excellent left-wing delivery to conclude a slick passage of play.
Striker Lars-Jørgen Salvesen marked his first start of the season by doubling Derby’s lead early in the second half with a composed finish into the top corner from inside the penalty area.
The Rams did have chances to add to their tally in a dominant second half showing, and they were made to sweat for their win in the final stages after Ethan Galbraith pulled a goal back in the final minute - but side side held on for a deserved victory.
An early break forward for the hosts at the Swansea.com Stadium saw Jay Falton pick out Josh Tymon on the left flank. After driving down the wing the 26-year-old delivered a curling cross into the penalty area, inviting trouble, but Jacob Widell Zetterström was alert to rush out off his line and divert it away with a powerful punch.
There was a chance for the Rams soon after as Sondre Langås, fresh from netting his first Derby goal against Watford at the weekend, ghosted into the box to meet Matt Clarke’s looping cross into the box, but the Norwegian was unable to keep his header down as it sailed over the bar.
Following a neat passage of play from the Swans the ball dropped to Žan Vipotnik. The striker unleashed a low drive only for it to cannon off a team-mate, denying what looked a promising chance and forcing a goal-kick.
An opportunity arose for Patrick Agyemang on the 20-minute mark after astute defensive work from Ben Brereton Díaz saw the Rams win the ball back high up the pitch. The Chile international squared the ball to Agyemang on the edge of the box, but his left-footed effort flew wide.
Salvesen, making his first start of the season for the Rams in place of the injured Carlton Morris, then registered the first shot on target of the evening for Eustace’s side. Brereton Díaz whipped in another teasing ball into the box, which was met by Salvesen, but his header was straight down the throat of Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux.
At the other end, the hosts then came close to taking the lead. Galbraith laid the ball off to Eom Ji-Sung, who cut inside and curled an effort towards the far post. However, Zetterström produced a fine one-handed save to keep him out and keep the scoreline at 0-0.
Derby broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, courtesy of a poacher’s finish from Ward. Elder surged forward down the left and his probing delivery into the box couldn’t be reached by the sprawling Agyemang, but Ward there to nod it in from close range at the back post to make it 1-0.
Swansea pushed for an immediate response before the interval as Josh Key found himself in space on the right and floated a ball towards Eom in the box. The 23-year-old rose highest to meet it but his failed to generate power on the header, allowing Zetterström to collect comfortably and keep the Rams ahead going into the break.
Despite the hosts dominating possession in the first half, quick, dangerous transitions from the Rams proved decisive. That threat was evident again early in the second period, when Salvesen doubled Derby’s lead in the 52nd minute.
A miscued clearance from Ben Cabango, his attempt to intervene with Ward’s header, fell to the Norwegian in the box. The striker took a calm touch, opened his body and clipped the ball into the top corner to make it 2-0.
Shortly afterwards, a crucial intervention kept Derby’s two-goal cushion intact. Ronald slid the ball to Key, who thundered a shot that Clarke got a vital touch to, deflecting it behind.
The Rams then threatened again after intense pressing from Bobby Clark won the ball back in the opposition half. The midfielder threaded a through ball to Agyemang, who darted forward, but the USA international was denied by Vigouroux from a tight angle.
Swansea captain Cabango had a major opportunity to pull one back for the hosts with 20 minutes remaining in the contest. Eom delivered a pinpoint ball free-kick into the box, which was met by Cabango, but his header was straight at Zetterström.
Brereton Díaz nearly sealed the win for Derby in the 75th minute after Clarke released him down the left with a well-timed ball. The forward drove into the box, cut onto his right foot and attempted to squeeze his shot inside the near post, but Vigouroux reacted sharply to palm it away.
The Swans pulled one back in the 89th minute through a stunning strike from Galbraith. Substitute Manuel Benson whipped a dangerous ball into the area, which was headed clear only as far as the Northern Ireland international on the edge of the box. He rifled a superb effort into the top corner, setting up a tense finale for the Rams, who were determined to avoid a repeat of Saturday’s late setback against Watford.
Resolute defending in the closing moments ensured Derby held firm, securing a deserved victory and all three points.
Swansea City: Vigouroux (GK), Key, Fulton (Stamenić 56), Cabango (C), Vipotnik (Idah 82), Eom (Inoussa 74), Tymon, Burgess, Cullen (Franco 56), Galbraith, Ronald (Benson 56).
Unused Substitutes: Fisher (GK), Widell, Samuels-Smith, Casey.
Derby County: Zetterström (GK), Batth, Clarke, Langås, Agyemang (Weimann 79), Salvesen (Jackson 70), Elder, Ward (Nyambe 79), Brereton Díaz, Adams (C), Clark.
Unused Substitutes: Vickers (GK), Forsyth, Blackett-Taylor, Thompson, Nelson, Eames.
The Rams face another away trip in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday, as they travel to the Riverside Stadium to take on Middlesbrough (3pm kick-off).
Words: Ella Barber.
