Derby County Vs Blackburn Rovers: Rams Rally to Win 3-1 After Early Setback
Derby County turned a half-time deficit into a 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Pride Park, a result that matters for both clubs' season trajectories and comes with 11 games remaining. The derby county vs blackburn rovers fixture was decided by three second-half goals from Ben Brereton Díaz, Matt Clarke and Rhian Brewster after Hayden Carter had headed Blackburn ahead in first-half stoppage time.
Hayden Carter header hands Blackburn lead
Blackburn opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time when Yuri Ribeiro, making his first start since December, delivered a teasing free-kick from the left that Hayden Carter headed into the far corner for his first goal since May 2023. The lead was earned after Lewis Travers conceded a free-kick outside his own box on the left; the set-piece delivery and Carter's header directly produced the 1-0 advantage.
Ben Brereton Díaz and Derry Murkin spark Derby revival
Derby levelled in the 55th minute when Derry Murkin pulled the ball back for Ben Brereton Díaz, who controlled and finished from about 15 yards to make it 1-1. Earlier in the contest Brereton Díaz had tested Blackburn goalkeeper Balazs Toth with a low effort that was saved, and Toth also denied Patrick Agyemang from a narrow angle. The equaliser shifted momentum: Derby, who had lost three of their previous four matches, built on that platform to press for a winner and revive their play-off challenge.
Derby County Vs Blackburn Rovers: Clarke and Brewster finish turnaround
Derby took the lead in the 74th minute when Matt Clarke tapped in after Sammie Szmodics pulled Rhian Brewster's cross back across goal; that was Clarke's second goal of the season. The contest was sealed in the 82nd minute, eight minutes from time, when Murkin again created space on the left and delivered a precise cross for Brewster to head home from close range. Murkin finished the match with two assists, underscoring his influence on Derby's attacking shift after the break.
Referee action, key chances and goalkeeper interventions
The match featured a flashpoint in the 34th minute when Sam Szmodics reacted angrily to a tackle by Adam Forshaw; referee Leigh Doughty booked both players. Blackburn had early moments when Yuki Ohashi turned Matt Clarke in the box and Yuri Ribeiro forced Josh Vickers into a save, while Andri Gudjohnsen missed a second-half chance that might have doubled Blackburn's lead. Vickers was on hand to block Ribeiro's near-post attempt in the first half, and Balazs Toth produced saves from Brereton Díaz and Agyemang during the opening period.
Team selection and squad updates from Pride Park Stadium
Derby made three changes to the side that lost 4-2 at Hull City in midweek. Carlton Morris returned from a long-term injury after making three substitute appearances in the last three matches and made his first start at Pride Park since November. Joe Ward rejoined the defence to make his 27th league appearance of the season, and Dion Sanderson came back into the starting picture after being rested in midweek. Lewis Travis captained the Rams and Sam Szmodics made his fourth outing for the club.
The confirmed Derby County starting XI was: Vickers (GK), Murkin, Clarke, Agyemang, Morris, Szmodics, Ward, Brereton Díaz, Travis (C), Sanderson, Clark. The substitutes named were: O’Donnell (GK), Forsyth, Brewster, Ozoh, Fraulo, Banel, Eames, I Gordon, Allen.
Managerial and season implications for John Eustace and Michael O'Neill
Derby boss John Eustace framed the victory as a measure of recent progress, noting the club's points tally with 11 games to go and urging the squad to enjoy the run-in. What makes this notable is the contrast in experience on the pitch: Derby players Ben Brereton Díaz, Sammie Szmodics, Lewis Travis and Dion Sanderson have a combined 544 appearances and 97 goals for Blackburn between them, while Michael O'Neill's Blackburn starting XI held a combined 408 appearances and 33 goals for Rovers. The result intensifies Blackburn's relegation worries and highlights the task facing O'Neill, whose side have now lost their past two games despite taking the lead, after winning his opening two matches.
The second-half turnaround at Pride Park — sparked by Murkin's creativity and clinical finishing from Brereton Díaz, Clarke and Brewster — leaves Derby with renewed momentum in the Championship and Blackburn confronting a pressing need for response.
