Rams Held To A Draw By Baggies

Derby County were held to a 1-1 draw at Pride Park Stadium by West Bromwich Albion.

An eventful Saturday afternoon clash saw Martyn Waghorn open the scoring early from the penalty spot. He had a chance to double the lead before the break when the Rams were awarded another spot kick which this time was denied by the Baggies’ keeper.

West Brom equalised with five minutes to go when Kenneth Zohore converted from the penalty spot, shortly before their manger Slaven Bilic was shown a red card for his second yellow.

Jack Marriott retuned to the starting XI for the first time in a league game this season, making his way back from injury. Meanwhile, youngsters Jason Knight and Lee Buchanan made their full league debuts for the club.

For the second time in the last three games, the Rams found themselves with the lead inside the opening five minutes. Waghorn drove into the right side of the area and was taken down by Kieran Gibbs to be awarded a penalty.

Derby’s No. 9 stepped up to the spot and drilled his effort into the middle of the goal past Sam Johnstone.

Kelle Roos pulled out a big stop to prevent the Baggies from a quick equaliser. Nathan Ferguson sprinted forwards from the middle of the park and took aim, but the Ram’s stopper made the stop with his foot and booted the effort clear.

Derby’s bright start continued, and great build-up play saw the ball quickly moved from Waghorn to Jack Marriott, who then played Tom Lawrence clean through. As the angle tightened, however, it was a difficult shot and the winger hit the side netting.

The Rams were awarded another penalty just before the break, despite the appeals from West Brom, including Bilic who picked up a yellow card.

Waghorn stepped up again, this time aiming for the bottom right corner, which Johnstone read correctly and a good save denied the Rams a second goal for the half.

The Baggies had their best opportunity of the half to level the score in injury time when Kenneth Zohore was played through and went one-on-one with Roos. The keeper got the better of the close encounter and got enough on the save to send it out.

Just minutes after the restart, Max Lowe made a great run down the right before feeding out to youngster Knight to the right of the area. His low effort went across the goal and just past the far post.

Derby looked fierce on the attack again moments later and somehow weren’t able to double the lead. Tom Huddlestone sent a lovely ball down to Buchanan down the left who sent a low cross into the box. Knight was on the end of it and his shot rebounded to Marriott who sliced his effort over.

They continued to push, and Richard Keogh whipped into the area and Waghorn hit the half-volley only to be denied by Johnstone.

West Brom then hit Derby on the counter with substitute Grady Diangana striking on target from the edge of the box, but Roos dived to meet it with a brilliant save.

The Baggies found the equaliser with five minutes to go, also from the penalty spot. Zohore stepped up and shot into the right of the goal.

Derby County: Roos; Lowe, Keogh, Bielik, Buchanan; Dowell, Huddlestone, Knight (Paterson, 90); Waghorn (Evans, 82), Marriott (Bennett, 77), Lawrence

Unused Subs: Hamer, Shinnie, Clarke, Malone

West Bromwich Albion: Johnstone; Ferguson, Ajayi, Bartley, Gibbs (Furlong, 21); Edwards (Dingana, 45), Livermore, Sawyers, Phillips (Pereira, 71); Krovinovic; Zohore

Unused Subs: Bond, Brunt, Auston, O’Shea