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Derby County player ratings v West Brom

By Leigh Curtis

Derby County player ratings v West Brom

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Derby County sealed their first win of the Championship season as they stunned high-flying West Brom after a late goal from Andi Weimann sealed a 1-0 win at the Hawthorns.

Weimann came off the bench to net the winner with Derby's only shot on target after fellow substitute Patrick Agyemang had made a nuisance of himself in the box.

Eustace's side had started promisingly, but gradually Albion began to find some rhythm in possession although Jacob Widell Zetterstrom was rarely called upon in a dull game.

A shot from Isaac Price that flew into his midrift was about the only time he was called into action as Derby defended the box well against a team who were chasing top spot in the division.

Derby had to pick and choose their moments to attack and a pass out wide to Callum Elder from Lewis Travis set the full-back on the charge.

His cross was met by a header from Ben Brereton Diaz, but any hopes of a goal on his debut soon disappeared as his effort skidded off the turf and past the post.

At the other end, Price tried an audacious lob that landed on the roof of the net while at the start of the second half, Jed Wallace lashed a shot wide of the target.

Nat Phillips stung the palms of Zetterstrom with a shot from the edge of the box before Bobby Clark struck over as both sides attempted to lift a game that had been momentarily halted after a bird dropped a bloody carcass onto the pitch and needed to be removed.

Once play got back under way, Derby found the breakthrough when Weimann kept his composure superbly to roll a shot into the bottom corner.

But Derby were grateful to the crossbar for keeping them ahead as Jayson Molumby struck the woodwork as the Rams claimed all the points.

Jacob Widell Zetterstrom: The Swedish international wasn't seriously tested in the first half despite Albion having a lot of the ball. There was a lot of routine work. Made a good stop in the second half. 6.5

Max Johnston: The right-back didn't really get into the game in an attacking sense as Albion controlled the ball for long spells of the first half. 7

Dion Sanderson: Was predictably booed by his links to both Birmingham and Wolves, but he had a really solid game in the heart of the defence and made some important blocks in the first half. 8

Matt Clarke: Got in the way of a fierce shot from Callum Styles in the first half that looked destined for the top corner and that was a sign of Derby's willingness to throw bodies on the line. 8

Craig Forsyth: Headed and kicked it and did what he had to do and Derby had to be alert in the first half as they just couldn't make the ball stick in the final third for any length of time. 7

Lewis Travis: The midfielder produced a couple of crunching tackles and tried to get Derby ticking and one pass to Callum Elder particularly caught the eye. Really got in and amongst in the second half. 7

Ebou Adams: Had to lend a hand to the defence and made a couple of important interventions when Albion threatened and he stuck to the job required of him. 6

Callum Elder: Produced one cross that was headed wide by Ben Brereton Diaz and at times threatened to be a really useful outlet on the left-hand side. 6

Bobby Clark: Couldn't fault his energy, but just didn't happen for him on the day which is what can happen sometimes. Just couldn't make an impact on the game as he would have liked. 5.5

Ben Brereton Diaz: Was handed his debut after only getting back from Chile in midweek. Didn't fare too badly as he had a header go wide of the post and had a shot blocked in the second half. 5.5

Carlton Morris: Won some headers, but the problem for Derby is that they couldn't get anybody in and around him to make the most of any flick-ons in the first half. Worked so hard for the cause. 7

Subs

Patrick Agyemang (Brereton Diaz 70): Looked a handful when he came on. Stretched the play, used his physicality and the fans loved it. Caused chaos. 7.5

Andi Weimann (Clark 80): Came on and scored a well-taken goal as he kept his composure in a sea of bodies in the area. Like Agyemang, changed the game. 7.5

Who was your man of the match? Have your say HERE.

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