Rams earn point against promotion chasing Burnley

It is often said that, for the team on top, half-time has come at the wrong time. That adage was true of Derby, who had the Championship’s best backline sweating when Bobby Madley blew his whistle to bring the first 45 to a close. A cacophony of boos was then heard, the flock furious that time had been called as their side had looked set to counter, despite the allotted one added minute having been played.

But that the Pride Park faithful could arguably be disappointed to end both the first half, and the game level is yet another reflection of the exceptional work of John Eustace, whose spirited side held the promotion-chasers to stay out of the bottom three.

Eustace’s side were characteristically solid at the back and even had a golden chance to win the game at the death but couldn’t end The Clarets’ unbeaten streak which now stands at 27 league games.

There was just the one change to the side that were unfortunate to lose at Swansea last Saturday, Jerry Yates coming back in for Kayden Jackson having been ineligible to face his parent club at the weekend – and Derby benefitted from his work rate.

The Rams had the first chance of the game inside five minutes, Kane Wilson driving forward to win a corner from which Craig Forsyth headed wide at the overloaded back post.

On an evening in which he was rarely challenged, Jacob Widell Zetterström was forced into a superb diving save to deny Zian Flemming from a delightful, dinked pass from Jaidon Anthony.

Flemming then headed off target under pressure from Matt Clarke before chipping a golden opportunity over Zetterström and wide after a miscommunication between the Swede and Nat Phillips on the edge of the box.

But after a dominant first 25 minutes for the visitors, which saw Derby camped in a low block inside their own box, The Rams grew into the game – finishing the first half on top.

Derby’s best chance of the half was neatly formed but lacked the finishing touch. Craig Forsyth found Marcus Harness at the far post, who knocked the ball down to Yates. But the Swansea loanee saw his shot blocked and then palmed away by James Trafford. He would soon find the back of the net, only for the offside flag to rightly go up.

Wilson then showcased his dribbling ability, beating two defenders and finding Yates who forced one of a flurry of corners. Though Marcus Harness’ deliveries had been inconsistent, this one so nearly paid off, Clarke and Adams keeping the set-piece alive with their heads, but with no one to turn it in at Trafford’s left-hand post.

Three minutes into the second half, Zetterström hit a wonderful diagonal ball forward to Craig Forsyth, who would have found Jerry Yates free in the box were it not for CJ Egan-Riley.

For Burnley, it was more of the same really. Much possession, slick passing, but the lack of a killer instinct which would surely see them be runaway champions.

But credit must go to Derby too, the second half was one of little attacking quality because they made it that. Forsyth dealt with Marcus Edwards, who is seen by many as Premier League quality, with no problems. Clarke, Phillips and Sondre Langås solid as a rock, with Harrison Armstrong and Liam Thompson showing impressive work rate by dropping into the backline at times too.

In stoppage time, Derby should have won it. Substitute Jackson did brilliantly to chest a fizzing ball down and cross it to the back post where Yates was lurking for what looked a certain goal. But Clarke was seemingly unaware until it was too late, diverting the ball with a wayward header from the centre of the six-yard box.

Oh, for a simple shout of “mine” or “leave it!” to have been heard. If so, we would likely be talking about Derby’s result of the season.

Analysis: Still in their own hands

Late goals elsewhere in the bottom six may have changed the picture (namely Yakou Meite’s equaliser for Cardiff at Preston) but Derby’s fate remains in their hands as they stay 21st on goal difference.

But despite the late chance, this surely cannot be viewed as a missed opportunity; simply a point gained.

I called Eiran Cashin a colossus in the reverse fixture, on Tuesday night, Derby had two, in Matt Clarke and Nat Phillips, imperious at the back, and dangerous going forward, Clarke of course had that late chance, while Phillips had six touches in the opposition box, playing a key role in winning flick-ons from throw-ins.  

Similarly crucial was Craig Forsyth. Playing at left wing back as he did versus Swansea, in the absence of Callum Elder. While the Australian was more involved in Derby’s final third play than any other player in his previous three games (versus Preston, Plymouth and Coventry) Forsyth doesn’t quite match that. But his slightly more defensive profile was perfect for facing Marcus Edwards, one of the division’s best wingers.

Though few would have backed him beforehand, Forsyth firmly won this battle, winning the most duels of any player (12) to limit the Sporting loanee to one real moment of quality, that first half mazy run from the centre circle before firing wide.

In their own way, the Derby back line more than matched Burnley’s, albeit their job was different. Even when Kane Wilson played out of position in the back three (why on earth was he not at left wing back with Forsyth a centre back once Jackson came on?) they looked solid, bar Clarke’s mistimed jump.

Goals need to come again, but there is no reason to panic. Burnley have kept clean sheets in a record number of games this season.

But with their excellent out of possession structure, Derby must take goals and not the “nearly” moments of Tuesday into their final five games, including at Fratton Park on Saturday.

Derby (3-5-2): Zetterström (GK); Langås (Jackson 78’), Phillips, Clarke; Wilson, Adams (C), Thompson, Armstrong, Forsyth; Yates, Harness (Mendez-Laing 69’).

Substitutes not used: Vickers (GK), Barkhuizen, Rooney, Hendrick, Pieters, Wheeldon.

Burnley (4-4-1-1): Trafford (GK); Roberts, Egan-Riley, Estève, Pires; Edwards (Barnes 85’), Cullen, Laurent (Foster 68’, Hannibal 74’), Anthony; Brownhill (C), Flemming.

Substitutes not used: Hladký (GK), Worrall, Sonne, , Sarmiento, Redmond, Kolesho.