Substitutes help Derby to first league win at West Brom

A bird of prey swooped down and dropped a dead pigeon on the pitch: that was the turning point.

If you are expecting a metaphor about preying on mistakes or even a Hawkeye pun, you are out of luck.

The break in play allowed for further tactical instruction from John Eustace, too the introduction of Patrick Agyemang. And Derby’s new big money striker would play a large part in their second smash-and-grab at The Hawthorns in as many months, setting up fellow substitute Andreas Weimann to secure Derby’s first league win of the campaign.

Ryan Mason’s West Brom were unbeaten, and unchanged, and dominated most of the game against a Rams side that was captained by Lewis Travis.

Celebrating 125 years at The Hawthorns, the hosts made a strong start, occupying Derby’s defenders throughout the first half hour as they patiently moved the ball from side-to-side in search of an opening – a stark contrast to their visitors’ direct approach. But despite much possession, Isaac Price’s early side-footed strike was their only chance of note.

It took Eustace’s side 20 minutes to put together a good counter attack, when new skipper Lewis Travis swept a ball out to Callum Elder. His cross was going away from the goal and could only be headed wide by debutant Ben Brereton Díaz.

Matt Clarke made a strong block to deny left back Callum Styles in the 34^th-minute before a barrage from The Baggies.

First Price attempted to chip Zetterström, before Mikey Johsnton left Dion Sanderson on the floor as he cut inside and shot, and former Ram Nat Phillips headed over the bar from a corner. Much like at Ipswich, Derby needed to get to the break and regroup.

A stroke of fortune would prevent Eustace’s side from going behind two minutes into the second half, George Campbell’s goal-bound header from a corner blocked by teammate Mikey Johnston.

And West Brom would make another block moments later, this one deliberate, to deny Brereton Díaz.

Aside from Phillip stinging the palms of Zetterström from range proceedings continued in much the same vein as the first half. West Brom had the vast majority of possession, but Derby’s back three were putting their bodies on the line to keep it level.

But the first glimpse of Agyemang with the Derby Ram on his chest brought something different. The American international’s presence stretched the game.

It came moments after Zetterström had flung himself to the ground to stop Toby Collyer’s low drive. Travis curled a cross to the far post, which Agyemang cushioned for Weimann. He dribbled round three players before shooting low, back across goal, and off the inside of the post from 15 yards out.

Less than four minutes after coming on, the Austrian had combined with his fellow substitute for his first goal back in Derby colours.

Jayson Molumby rattled the bar for the hosts in the 90^th-minute. But as they had done throughout, The Rams would hold firm to survive a late surge and see out the victory.

Analysis: Staunch rear-guard action

This was a Derby performance built on guts and desire, using physical attributes to stay in and change the game, even when technique was lacking.

Matt Clarke was imperious. He made the most blocks (five), clearances (11) and headed clearances (eight) of any player on the pitch. He was the linchpin at the heart of the well-organised defensive unit, in which all three centre backs, both wing backs and the central midfielders played their part.

Key to the victory also, were some tactical tweaks. As John Eustace admitted to BBC Radio Derby, his side had been too deep in the first half. Raising the backline helped ease pressure somewhat in the second half.

Carlton Morris was starved of service, with Derby struggling to keep the ball. He had the least touches of any outfield player to play 90 minutes and failed to have a shot, but his physicality and game intelligence were still an asset. The number nine won the most duels of any player, helping Derby in their attempts to progress the ball, but lacked runners around him for most of the game.

That is the key sense in which the substitutes changed the game. Patrick Agyemang stretched the game up front, allowing Morris to drop in (effectively playing as the right-sided number ten). This gave him that runner that he had needed, and the Derby side another target for long balls. Andreas Weimann, meanwhile, brought what had been missing in Brewster’s absence: confidence with the ball at his feet and the ability to wriggle out of tight spaces, as he did for the goal.

Brewster will be a big miss, especially as The Rams look to build on this first win to dominate games. If they are to do that, they must look after the ball better and ensure that the links between the wing backs and central attackers are strong, as had been a hallmark of their play at Burnley and Ipswich.

With the impact of both Morris and Agyemang, that may well be with two strikers up top.

West Brom (4-2-3-1): Griffiths (GK); Campbell, Phillips, Mepham, Styles; Mowatt (Collyer 73’), Molumby; Wallace (C) (Illing-Junior 73’), Price, Johnston (Maja 83’); Heggebø.

Unused Substitutes: Wildsmith (GK), Wallis (GK); Taylor, Gilchrist; Diakite; Bostock.

Derby (3-4-2-1): Zetterström (GK); Sanderson, Clarke, Forsyth; Johnston, Adams, Travis (C), Elder; Clark (Weimann 79’), Brereton Díaz (Agyemang 69’); Morris.

Unused substitutes: Vickers (GK); Batth, Nyambe; Ozoh, Ward; Jackson, Salvesen.