Langås makes triumphant return against Norwich

There is a reason Sondre Langås fits in so well at Derby: he’s a Rolls-Royce.

Back after months out with a torn meniscus, the Norwegian defender’s impact was transformative; allowing The Rams to switch to a 3-4-3 as they secured a first home win of the season against fellow strugglers Norwich.

Seriously, look up holding on for dear life, and you’ll likely find footage of the Derby defence looking to marshal Josh Sargent and co in the first half. From the first minute it was clear that the hosts needed to wake up. In two minds over whether to sit back, or step up and press, they left gaps for Norwich’s number nine to spin into.

Be it Jacob Widell Zetterström’s fourth-minute double-save, two goalmouth scrambles around the half-hour mark, or marauding full-back Jack Stacey’s shot across goal, The Canaries should have been flying by the break.

And while there was a sense of Oxford 2.0 in just how much Derby suffered, Norwich did not rue poor finishing. Instead, they were denied by a string of saves, and a heroic display from Matt Clarke at the heart of defence, who made 17 defensive contributions (clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles).

Going forward, something had to change. The best reflection of Derby’s shape, which Eustace says he “got wrong at the start of the game”, was probably that while most had it down as a 4-2-3-1, the Derby Head Coach’s post-match comments about “minor tweaks” at the break, and Ben Brereton Díaz playing “at left wing back” in the first half, suggest it was intended to be a back three.

But enough about the first half.

The half-time switch to a 3-4-3 facilitated by replacing Rhian Brewster with Langås, changed the game completely. Suddenly there were shades of some of the great home performances of last season’s Great Escape – the togetherness and team spirit that defined that remarkable run were there in spades.

It allowed Derby to be “much more on the front foot”, “[win] the ball high up the pitch” and “always [look] a threat on the transitions” as Eustace explained.

This fast start to the second half saw The Rams create a number of chances, the first of note coming from a terrific ball over the top from Langås. Now on the right of a front three, Brereton Díaz brought down the 60-yard pass and crossed it to Patrick Agyemang at the back post. He would square the ball for Carlton Morris, who was denied by a strong left hand from Vladan Kovačević.

Moments later, Agyemang would create another opportunity out on the left flank, powering his way around Pelle Mattsson at the byline and pulling the ball back to David Ozoh, who arrowed it into the top-right corner.

With “Eustace! Barmy Army!” now being belted out from behind the goal, the Derby boss could have been forgiven for going full Chloe Kelly: “Pressure? What pressure?” Particularly as Max Johnston ran in behind and found himself bearing down on goal. But rather than simply putting his foot through it, the Scotland international opted to square the ball, and no one could reach it.

But not John Eustace, who will have remained acutely aware: there was the pressure.

Watching Patrick Agyemang, at times, can feel like watching a lorry with rocket boosters: the initial control might be difficult, but the sheer power is a unique asset when utilised in the right way. And this so nearly came off when he was found at the back post again, but Kovačević superbly turned the header over the bar.

So, the end was to be nervy. Especially when Ante Crnac’s shot across goal hit the post.

But thanks to the heroics of Langås, Clarke, and Sanderson – who practically pocketed Sargent in the second half – The Rams have a first home win in over six months.

There are question marks over how well Derby will be able to replicate their second half display against QPR on Saturday, with Ebou Adams suspended and Langås still building fitness. But it must now be the blueprint for Eustace’s Derby.

The composure of Morris up front, while also leading the high press, and Salvesen as a more than capable back-up. The ball carrying ability of the likes of Brewster, Brereton Díaz, and Agyemang, who should still dart to the back post. Elder and Johnston as wide threats, looking to get crosses into the box, with Adams covering defensively next to Ozoh, who is more progressive.

And as with last season’s success, it is all built on a rock-solid foundation of a confident back three, with a reassured Zetterström in net.

There is a reason Sondre Langås fits in so well at Derby: he’s a Rolls-Royce.