Warne's Derby wish is finally granted as City boss makes Pride Park admission (2024)

Brilliant Derby County secured their second win in the Championship as goals from Kenzo Goudmijn, Kayden Jackson and David Ozoh secured a 3-0 victory to ruin Max Bird and Jason Knight's return to Pride Park.

Goudmijn struck his first goal for the club with an effort outside the box and that lead was doubled after the break when Jackson hit a stunner from just inside the box.

City had actually found some rhythm after a lively opening with Scott Twine's movement in between the lines causing a problem that ended with Sinclair Armstrong being denied by Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.

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He combined well again with the City striker moments later for a chance which Zetterstrom was equal to again. But Derby then produced a terrific move as they carved upfield through Yates and Mendez-Laing for a chance which saw Goudmijn denied by Max O'Leary.

But the Rams had the breakthrough when a corner was half-cleared to him on the edge of the box and the Dutchman opened his account for the season with a lovely finish.

He then went close with a similar strike but the Rams were indebted to Curtis Nelson, who made a goal-saving block to deny Scott Twine, which won him a hug from Zetterstrom.

You sensed there were more goals in this game as the second half got back under way with Zetterstrom making another excellent save to deny Armstrong. But then Derby got their noses further in front when Jackson hit a superb effort beyond O'Leary to leave Pride Park bouncing.

Led by Jerry Yates, who was superb, Derby hunted a third and it almost came when Mendez-Laing clipped the foot of the post after racing on to a long pass. Yates then hit the woodwork himself with a shot across the face of goal before David Ozoh wrapped up the win with a strike from the edge of the box as Paul Warne's side secured all three points in a brilliant display.

Here are some of the main talking points from the weekend

Warne wish is granted

Since Paul Warne was appointed in September 2022, there has been a feeling that we have yet to truly see a team who reflect how he wants Derby to play. But this outstanding performance is what his utopia looks like and his wish to see it delivered where it matters was finally granted in an intoxicating display.

It was pedal-to-the-metal, no individual was bigger than the team and they all had a desire to look after their mates if they got into trouble. The result of that was easily the most complete performance of Warne's reign which he admitted was the best he has managed when he spoke in his post-match press conference.

Everybody delivered at least an eight out of 10 performance and it certainly showed us what this team are capable of. Everybody was in sync against a very good Bristol City team whose squad in terms of monetary value considerably outweighs Derby. But the real currency here was hard work, passion, ingenuity and, had it finished five or six nil, the visitors could not have had any complaints. It was a treat to watch, helped by a crowd who have realised that bursting their lungs with support has such a powerful impact. Warne said it felt like everybody was in harmony and, boy, Derby didn't half create some beautiful music in the process.

Yates was class

If there was a ball into the channel he chased it, if he needed to produce a clever flick around the corner he did it and the only thing missing was the goal Yates' performance deserved. There has been a lot of talk about Derby and the absence of a striker on deadline day, but he served up a treat here which underlined why Warne was so keen to make him part of his attack.

Leading the line on your own is arguably the toughest role in football because you have to be good at everything. You have to be decent with your back to goal, you have to be able to run in behind, and you have to link play, not to mention scoring goals. Only the post stopped him from opening his Derby account and you sensed the roof would have come off Pride Park had he delivered.

But he is a tigerish forward, who, on this evidence, would chase a crisp packet in the wind. Derby fans rightly marvelled over his performance and if he keeps this up, he will quickly become a huge favourite among the black-and-white legion.

The power of Pride Park

City manager Liam Manning held his hands up and admitted his side had perhaps been caught up with the emotion of the crowd which underlined just how pivotal the fans are going to be this season.

"It's a tough place to come," said Manning. "You saw their result against Middlesbrough, it's not easy, they are organised and they are physical. What you then have to do is stay focused and play with discipline, but I just thought we were too rushed."

We all know how formidable Pride Park can be when its foundations are shaking and Warne also said the fans deserved a massive "pat on the back" for bringing the noise. The stats of Derby's home record now speak for themselves as this was their eighth successive home League win, a feat that Derby have not achieved since 1996.

Home is certainly where the heart is as far as Derby are concerned and with their ambitions to survive and then thrive in the Championship, their home form is going to be crucial. The fans will be a huge part of that and, just as they were against Middlesbrough, they had the place rocking.

Midfield tweak and some special performances

For the first 20 minutes, City with their two number 10s, one of which was Bird, were just starting to cause a little bit of havoc. Ozoh was a little too deep, so Warne asked for the midfield three to flatten which then asked City to go around them rather than through them.

Once that change was made, there was no looking back. Ozoh was sensational with a performance that dripped with athleticism and strength. Ebou Adams tackled anything that ventured into his domain while the excellent Goudmijn took up intelligent positions that were rewarded with a fabulous goal.

Bird and Knight didn't get the chance to enjoy their homecoming because Derby were just too physically strong. The midfield deserves a lot of credit for that, as do the defence, who threw themselves at everything. Zetterstrom pulled off some excellent saves and the Sweden international goalkeeper produced the Kodak moment of the day when Ozoh added the third as he ran the full length of the pitch to get involved in the celebrations at the end of a complete team performance.

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