The ACN Match Review 24/25 – Derby County (A) | OneFootball

How did we play?

We played well enough for it to be an enjoyable away day and that’s not something we’ve always been able to say. We controlled the game for patches, played fluently, and put together the same passages of play that we saw against Watford. We made Derby look like the away team at times. The possession didn’t result in bags of clear cut chances and the ball was cheaply given away too many times. But it was easy on the eye, and if anything the scoreline flattered Derby.

Regardless of how we played, we won an entertaining game over a solid Derby team who were on their best run of home form since 1975. In his post-match interviews, Thorup focused on where he wants to see improvements from the team. His comments to the media are always so clear, very candid, and underline an ambition to take the team forward, fast. That decisiveness and determination is something we can all buy into and get behind.

What was the best bit of the game?

The ball that Sargent crossed to Borja was out of play, clearly. Some people – including our own manager – think that this sort of goal is why VAR is so important. That getting every single decision exactly right, even at the price of spoiling the game-going experience, is a price worth paying.

In the stands, however, the goal was glorious. A lovely bit of play, and a cracking finish from Sainz, but also a chance to enjoy the outrage of Derby fans and the hilarity of the decision. This was especially the case for those of us who’d gone for a pint a few minutes before half time — we got to see the highlights breakdown exactly how much of a heist we’d just pulled off. Every new angle was cheered like we’d scored again.

Football isn’t about the purity of the outcomes on the pitch, it’s the experience of being there, enjoying the highs because you’ve experienced the lows. Human frailty is a key component in that, from the players and from the officials. The vapid, antiseptic outcome of a five minute VAR review will never be the same football in the sense that we’ve all known and loved it. Being on the receiving end, as Derby were today, is the price we all pay for the good of the game.

What was the worst bit of the game?

The game itself didn’t have bad bits per se, but the Norwich-themed far-right stickers seen in the bar left a bad taste in the mouth. How any racists can think they’re decent Norwich fans is beyond me, given the team we’re cheering on and the city that team represents.

What was the atmosphere like?

Pride Park isn’t the worst of the soulless out of town, out-of-the-way plastic bowls plonked in the middle of a giant car park that has been inflicted on the country – but it is in that genre. Inside the ground, you could be in one of a dozen different grounds. It is a Travelodge just off the ring road, if you will.

But for all that, you do get a decent view, and there’s noise to be had if the travelling fans are up for it, as they were today. From the very first minute to the very end of the game – with some time after their equaliser and the nervy final minutes – the Norwich contingent were absolutely rocking. A very fun day all told.

The Derby fans had decent moments and a good go at a tifo before kick off. They had a lad with a large drum, and a dhol drum accompanying which I’ve not seen before and was a nice touch. The drums made plenty of noise but as they were at the very front of the stand and most of the Derby fans singing were at the back of the stand they never really got going.

The celebrations at the final whistle were especially glorious. The Basque hat trick hero took centre stage, but it was nice to see Thorup push Gunn to the front to get his recognition from the travelling fans.

Hero of the match

Borja will get plaudits and his goals warrant that. But it’s worth giving José Córdoba credit for a very robust performance and presence. Some strong Bassong vibes with a few flashes of Oli Skipp thrown in.

Fisher, Gunn and Sarge had strong performances. This award, however, goes to Forson for his banging effort from inside his own half in the dying minutes of the game after the Derby keeper came up for a corner. From my angle I genuinely thought it was going in…for a moment.

Summary in Five Words

The ball was clearly overhanging.