Latest Derby County news from DerbyshireLive brings you how the players rated as the Rams secured a comfortable win at Hillsborough
21:54, 15 Dec 2025Updated 22:01, 15 Dec 2025
Derby County players celebrate against Sheffield Wednesday(Image: Nigel French/PA Wire.)
A double from Patrick Agyemang and a rare goal from Liam Thompson ensured Derby County heaped more misery on crisis-hit Sheffield Wednesday as they romped to a 3-0 win at Hillsborough.
Agyemang then grabbed his second to round off the victory in the second half as Derby moved up to 12th in the Championship table.
Wednesday, who went into this game rock bottom of the table and in administration, had actually started with some purpose with Jamal Lowe seeing a shot blocked, but that was as good as it got for the Owls as Derby assumed control.
Rhian Brewster drilled a shot across the face of goal from a Ben Brereton Diaz pass before Derby scored their opener.
Again Wednesday were their own worst enemy as they gifted possession away in midfield allowing Liam Thompson to find Agyemang who drilled an inch-perfect finish into the far corner of the net.
Chances then came and went to make it 2-0 with Bobby Clark drilling over from a good position.
Brereton Diaz then was inches away from doubling Derby’s lead when he curled around the post.
Derby did have their second goal when Craig Forsyth’s free-kick into the box was half-cleared to Thompson who prodded his finish into the far corner past Charles.
Agyemang then rounded off the scoring when he fired high into the roof of the net after a brilliant run by Brewster.
Wednesday kept plugging away and they did force Jacob Widell Zetterstrom into a save when Svante Ingelsson was denied at the near post.
Derby returned fire and they could have added a fourth but for a fine save from Charles to deny Agyemang.
Here’s how the players rated…..
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom: The Swedish goalkeeper could have brought a duvet and a pillow. Never tested seriously apart from one cross that he had to punch clear. That was as dangerous as it got. 7
Joe Ward: Cruised through the first half as Wednesday couldn’t maintain any kind of rhythm and were guilty of giving the ball away on several occasions. Did get forward to supply a couple of crosses. 7
Sondre Langas: Won the challenges that he had to but never really found himself under any pressure as a result of Wednesday’s troubles in the final third. Kept a clean sheet and that’s all you can ask. 7
Dion Sanderson: Mopped up on dangerous moment in the first half when he smashed the ball into the stands, but it was a night when the centre-backs had everything on lockdown. 7
Matt Clarke: Made one block to thwart Jamal Lowe’s shot early on but that was about as anxious as it got for Derby who were well in control during the first half at a subdued Hillsborough. 7
Craig Forsyth: Got the nod to play over Callum Elder and produced what you expected him to deliver which was a solid performance defensively. Will have enjoyed the run out after being on the subs bench of late. 7
Bobby Clark: A lot of Derby’s good work came through the on-loan RB Salzburg midfielder who always looked to make something happen when he had the ball. Has become a classy operator. 8.5
Liam Thompson: Created the goal for Agyemang and then scored himself. Had an excellent game in the middle of the pitch. Was quick to press and was certainly alert when it came to picking up from any mistakes. 8.5
Ben Brereton Diaz: Curled one effort around the post which was so close to giving Derby a second goal. Also fired straight at Pierce Charles from the edge of the box. Worked so hard and could have helped himself to a goal. 8
Rhian Brewster: Had a chance when he ran through but drilled his effort across the far post and out for a goal kick. Showed terrific strength in the second half with a brilliant run that ended with Agyemang’s second goal of the game. 8
Patrick Agyemang: The American had to wait for his opportunity, but boy did he take his first goal well. A razor-sharp finish inside the far post that left Charles with no chance. Helped himself to a second after the break. Deadly when Derby needed him to be. Was so dangerous. 9
Subs
Andi Weimann (Brewster 66): Played one super pass to find Agyemang in the second half. 6.5
Kayden Jackson (Brereton Diaz 79): Showed one terrific turn of pace. Could have scored. 6
Ebou Adams (Adams 79): Subject of a woeful tackle from Amass. 6
Lars Jorgen Salvesen (Agyemang 88): Not enough time to make an impression. N/A
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