Chris Mepham struck a 95th-minute equaliser to save West Bromwich Albion from matching a club-record 11th consecutive away defeat. The defender’s late header ensured the visitors avoided a disastrous milestone that had haunted them for more than 134 years.
Before Mepham’s intervention, West Brom appeared destined to extend their miserable away form. Debutant goalkeeper Max O’Leary’s fumble allowed Derby striker Patrick Agyemang to prod the home side ahead in the first half. The goal threatened to push the Rams into the Championship play-off places, leaving West Brom fans anxious.
Mepham powered home a header from a corner in stoppage time to deny Derby the win and hand boss Eric Ramsay his first point in charge after consecutive defeats.
West Brom’s Away Struggles Continue
West Brom last won away on 1 October at Norwich City, a victory that briefly lifted them to fourth in the table under Ryan Mason. The ten-match losing streak that followed cost Mason his job in early January. Ramsay inherited the team amid the prospect of overseeing a record-equalling defeat in his first away match.
Both teams rotated their squads, with five changes each. Derby brought in goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom after illness kept him out of their recent win at Charlton. West Brom responded to a 5-0 home defeat to Norwich with a major reshuffle, giving O’Leary his debut just a day after joining from Bristol City.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper had a difficult start. His failure to control a free-kick from Callum Elder allowed Agyemang to pounce and score. The 44th-minute goal came from Derby’s only meaningful chance in a first half that lacked clear opportunities. Jayson Molumby tested Zetterstrom and George Campbell’s header went just wide, but Derby dominated possession.
Late Drama Decides the Match
Both sides created chances in the second half. Derby’s Ben Brereton Diaz missed a wide-open opportunity after a swift counter with Agyemang. West Brom pressed for an equaliser, with Josh Maja’s effort squirming just wide in stoppage time. The resulting corner set up Mepham’s decisive header, too powerful for Zetterstrom to stop.
The point eased West Brom’s away-day struggles, but injuries threatened to overshadow the result. Karlan Grant left early with a suspected hamstring problem, while Krystian Bielik suffered a shoulder injury that ended his night.
Managers Reflect on the Game
Derby County boss John Eustace said the late concession was disappointing, praising his team’s effort during a challenging week. He noted the squad had looked fatigued and lacked sharpness against a disciplined West Brom side, but he remained pleased with their performance overall.
West Brom head coach Eric Ramsay described the result as deserved. He praised his side’s defensive control and said the performance corrected many issues from their previous match. Ramsay emphasized that the team had shown they could compete and build on this performance moving forward.
