Patrick Agyemang scored twice as Derby got back to winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 win over Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday.
American striker Agyeman scored either side of Liam Thompson’s goal early in the second period as Derby ended a three-game winless run and moved into 12th place, four points clear of the play-offs.
The beleaguered Owls continue to wait for their first home league win of the season, but their winless spell has been extended to 14 games.
The club remained in turmoil as of Wednesday after having 12 points deducted in October for government reasons, and a further six points deducted earlier this month for other financial violations.
Their shortcomings on the pitch were all too obvious as fans waited to find out which of the 12 parties interested in buying the club would be given exclusive rights by the management.
The first half was a completely empty game as both teams gave the ball away repeatedly, testing the patience of both home and away fans.
That was until the 32nd minute, when Derby broke the deadlock with their first chance of the game.
Rams midfielder Bobby Clarke slipped into Agyeman on the left edge of the box and pounced on another deflected pass outside the Owls defense, the latter easily evading Dominic Iorfa and firing low into the top corner.
Derby were in full control before half-time as Ben Brereton-Diaz’s shot from the edge of the box was well saved by Owls goalkeeper Pearce Charles and Clarke squandered the chance with a flurry of attacks.
A scuffle between Agyeman and Iolfa early in the second half sparked a brief scuffle that resulted in both players being booked, before Derby doubled their lead.
In the 57th minute, Craig Forsyth’s free kick fell to Thompson in front of the area, and his low shot deflected inside Charles’ left post.
Derby’s last remaining confidence on Wednesday was all but gone five minutes later when Agyeman slotted home his second goal from eight yards after receiving Rhian Brewster’s square pass.
Agyeman was denied a hat-trick by a fine low save from Charles, while Derby substitute Kayden Jackson was also thwarted by the Owls’ goalkeeper as they looked to extend their lead.
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The match between Sheffield Wednesday and Derby was called off due to a clash between the two teams.
managers
Henrik Pedersen of Sheffield Wednesday:
“As you saw with the players after the second goal, it was difficult for them. What was lost was belief.
“So it was a difficult night where we didn’t get to the same level as the last three or four games.
“We had a great physical game (last week) against a very strong running team (Watford), a dynamic team, but today we weren’t at the same physical level.
“And this is the basis for the best performance in the championship, and today we missed something to achieve this.”
John Eustace of Derby:
“The number of chances we had, and if we had better turnovers or last passes or finishing, maybe the game could have really gone out the window.
“That was great, but I felt like we could have had more control in the second half.
“When we got those chances, at least we finished the action, took corners and shots on target, so I’m really happy to win 3-0.”
