Derby complete near-perfect response in Swansea

If there is one thing that is coming to characterise this Derby squad, it is players stepping up in the hour of need.

There was Sondre Langås’ colossal performance on his return against Norwich, and Joe Ward’s remarkable form following Max Johnston’s injury. Now, add Danny Batth and, crucially, Lars-Jørgen Salvesen to the list.

Of course, the king of this has been Carlton Morris, whose goals have dug Derby out of a few holes this season. However, following his injury in Saturday’s late defeat to Watford, here was Salvesen’s opportunity to take up the line-leading mantle as The Rams looked to get back to winning ways.

But if the absence of Morris and the suspended Dion Sanderson felt like consequential changes, Swansea had a trump card: how about a new manager? Enter 37-year-old Portuguese coach Vitor Matos, who only took his first senior managerial job earlier this year.

The opening 20 minutes were scrappy to say the least: Derby had a pass accuracy of just 52.8 per cent. There was just one chance of note, Matt Clarke crossing from the byline only for Langås to head over the bar from six yards out.

This was the first of many instances where Clarke and/or Langås would occupy a higher position in possession – level with, or sometimes even beyond the midfield. Their positioning helped The Rams replace some of David Ozoh’s passing output, with the duo playing channel balls into the front line, while also rotating with wing backs to create wide overloads. As a result, Batth’s role as the anchor of the defence, was vital to avoid Derby being overwhelmed. The vastly experienced defender marshalled Swans striker Zan Vipotnik like he’d never been away.

That’s not to say that Derby’s in possession set up was on show much in the opening stages, with Swansea having three quarters of the ball.

But for all their possession, the hosts struggled to do much with it. Matos’ side did have one spell around the first half’s halfway mark, though with two of Batth’s 11 clearances falling to Swansea players in quick succession. One to Zan Vipotnik, whose cross-cum-shot was pushed behind by Jacob Widell Zetterström. Minutes later, another to Ethan Galbraith. He found Ji-Sung Eom, who fashioned a chance from nothing in the inside-left to force Zetterström into a full-stretch stop.

Bobby Clark paid the price for indecision on the half hour mark, seeing a cross cleared after driving into a great position in the inside-right and deciding against a shot. But from this counter-attack it was clear: Derby were growing into the game.

Chief creator became provider when Joe Ward headed The Rams in front after 34 minutes. The visitors benefitted from a wide overload, with Langås and Clarke stepping out of defence again before Callum Elder fizzed in a peach of a cross. Patrick Agyemang could not get the ball under control at the back post, but that was exactly where Ward arrived to get his fifth goal contribution is as many games.

Salvesen made it two after the break, pouncing on Ben Cabango’s poor clearance after a misplaced pass from Ward. Once he’d coolly curled the ball into the top-left corner, all that was left to do was take a bow.

Chances kept flowing for Derby, who really should have scored more in South Wales. Agyemang’s shot from a tight angle was tipped behind by Lawrence Vigouroux, before both the American and Brereton Díaz misfired on multiple occasions.

The Chilean international was later denied by his compatriot in net, after Matt Clarke dribbled to the halfway line and played him in. Bearing down on goal, the Southampton loanee would surely make it three? But his effort fell tamely into Vigouroux’s gloves. Swansea too had snatched at chances when they got them, namely headers from Eom and Cabango, which were both straight at Zetterström.

But Matos’ side would make the ending unnecessarily nervy in the 90^th minute. Josh Key’s cross found Ethan Galbraith, who whipped the ball into the top-left corner, leaving Zetterström helpless.

Though after a slow start, that was really the only blot on Derby’s copybook, aside from the desire for more goals.

With Morris expected to be out until at least February – albeit Derby are waiting for the final scan results – the number of chances created is encouraging. The balance with natural finisher Salvesen in the middle, dropping in to defend, and Agyemang remaining a wide outlet has already clicked, and understanding will continue to build.

With The Rams outside the top six on goal difference, next up is another side with a new manager in Middlesborough and Swedish head coach Kim Hellberg, who has arrived from Hammarby. After their late loss to runaway league leaders Coventry, John Eustace will surely hope that Boro do not respond to defeat as well as his team.