Martyn Waghorn’s saved penalty proved the most clear-cut opportunity for both sides as Derby and Swansea were forced to share the spoils.
Phillip Cocu opted for an unchanged starting line-up from the one that beat Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium, with deadline day signings Jamie Paterson and Ben Hamer both making their way onto the bench.
The Rams started the game in comfortable fashion, moving the ball in the defensive and midfield third with real intent but that failed to transfer into the final third where both teams failed to create many guilt-edge chances.
Heading towards the break, the game was on a knife’s edge. Derby managed to combine in pockets of space but failed to convert any chances. On the other hand, Swansea looked threatening on the counter and ran at the back line with real purpose.
Then came the chance of the game. Jayden Bogle was in and amongst the action just before the break, driving himself into space in the box before being brought down.
Martyn Waghorn stepped up but placed a poor penalty at a place and height that made it easy for Freddie Woodman to get low to and save.
Both Goalkeepers had a relatively quiet game until that period. Soon after Kelle Roos was called into action to bat away a shot from Borja Baston.
Cocu made his first roll of the dice just after half time. George Evans, a reliable presence in the midfield, was brought off for the more attack minded Paterson who was tasked to pick the Swansea City lock.
However, the chances were still few and far to come by. Bogle limped off midway through the half which put a dampener on a positive display from the young full back and the stop and start nature of the game denied either side a chance to get a rhythm or a feel for the occasion and the tie ended in a 0-0 draw.
Up next for Derby is a Carabao Cup First Round tie away against Scunthorpe United on Tuesday evening.
Derby County: Roos, Bogle (Lowe 54), Keogh (C), Clarke, Malone, Huddlestone, Evans (Paterson 45), Dowell, Jozefzoon (Marriott 80), Waghorn, Lawrence
Attendance: 27,337 (1,165 away)
Comments