INTERVIEW: “We showed great character” - Agyemang

Patrick Agyemang believes Derby County’s character came to the fore in their 1-1 draw at Birmingham City on Boxing Day.

The Rams recorded another valuable Sky Bet Championship point with a resilient display as they played more than half of the contest in the West Midlands with ten men.

Agyemang opened the scoring with a well-taken header just before the half-hour mark, his sixth goal of the season and his fourth in his last six appearances.

However, wing-back Joe Ward was sent off for two bookable offences before the first half was out that and meant the Rams had to dig deep for the remainder of the opening period and the entire second half.

Jack Robinson bundled home a leveller shortly after the hour for Birmingham, who themselves had Christoph Klarer sent off in injury time, but Derby stood firm to claim a point on their travels.

Agyemang felt, in testing circumstances, the Rams stood up to the challenge against the Blues and could be happy with adding another point to their tally as they extended their unbeaten run to four matches.

“In the circumstances we had to play in, having to hold out for the end of the first half and all the second half with ten men, it shows the character of the team,” Agyemang told Sky Sports after the final whistle.

“We always want more, but because of the circumstances we’re happy.

“We stayed defensively strong and as a family unit.”

Agyemang’s goal was set up by fellow forward Rhian Brewster, who has returned to the fold of late after shaking off a hamstring problem.

It was the second time in three matches that Brewster has helped create a goal for the United States of America international frontman.

Agyemang is enjoying the blossoming connection being formed with the former England youth international.

“I think it is great; we communicate on and off the pitch a lot,” he said of his relationship with Brewster.

“We understand each other’s games, with our strengths and weaknesses. When he got the ball in the position he was in, I just needed to stay around Rhian to link up and score the goal.”

Agyemang is experiencing his first taste of English football’s packed fixture schedule over the Christmas and New Year period, following his arrival from Major League Soccer side Charlotte in July.

Although it is a demanding schedule, with four games to be played inside just ten days in the second tier, the 25-year-old is embracing the task.

“The boys have told me about this Christmas period and warned me!” Agyemang said.

“With these guys here, they’ve made it easy to focus and do what I can control.

“I am going to enjoy every moment because it is a blessing to be in this position.”

Derby will play their final game of 2025 on Monday night when they head across the East Midlands to face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium (7:45pm kick-off).