Derby County player ratings v Millwall

CommentsSportopinionLeigh Curtis Derby County Writer21:46, 10 Mar 2026Updated 22:03, 10 Mar 2026Josh Coburn's first-half header was enough to keep Millwall's promotion push on track as Derby County's injury problems continue to pile up after goalkeeper Josh Vickers became the latest addition to the treatment table.

Coburn pounced before half-time when he headed in at the back post after Tristan Crama had hooked a ball back into the danger zone and that was enough to seal all three points.

And on a hard night for John Eustace's side, they have been left with one fit senior goalkeeper after Vickers appeared to pull a muscle in the final stages of the game with Jacob Widell Zetterstrom already on the treatment table.

Derby could have taken the lead when a corner from Joe Ward picked out Patrick Agyemang whose towering header beat Anthony Patterson, but not Zak Sturge who managed to clear off the line.

Millwall's response was for Zak Sturge to see a header clawed away by Josh Vickers before Alex Neil's side rattled the post, although it would not have counted due to a foul from Josh Coburn.

Joe Ward had a long shot from distance that fizzed past the upright but just before the break, Millwall took the lead.

Tristan Crama managed to turn a ball into the danger area at the back post and there to meet it was Coburn who headed into the corner of the net.

Rhian Brewster tried to find Ben Brereton Diaz at the back post just before the break, but the latter just couldn't reach his cross.

Eustace sent on Bobby Clark at half-time for Ozoh and the former teed up an effort for Lewis Travis after the break. but the skipper's effort flew past the upright.

But the best chance Derby created came when a clever ball over the top from Szmodics allowed Agyemang to use his pace during which he fended off a challenge Crama.

That took him into the area, but with just the goalkeeper to beat, he dragged his shot wide of the post. Szmodics then dragged a shot past the upright as Derby pushed for an equaliser.

And they were so close to making it 1-1 when Carlton Morris headed inches wide of the post. There was still time for Agyemang to almost snatch a point but his shot cannoned off the upright.

Josh Vickers: Made a fine stop to deny Zak Sturge's header in the first half but could do very little about Coburn's header at the back post. Was a dangerous ball by Crama. Had to come off injured. 6

Joe Ward: Nearly got caught out dallying in the early stages when he was robbed of the ball by Sturge. Swung a few crosses into the box one of which led to a chance for Agyemang. 6

Dion Sanderson: Was not really fazed by the strikers he was playing against as they weren't particularly the quickest, but they were handful aerially. Didn't have the best of games. 5

Matt Clarke: The pick of the back four and always seemed to be first to everything that ventured into his domain. A consistent performer at this level and showed it yet again. Dominant. 8

Derry Murkin: There were a couple of occasions when he could have got a big tighter to stop a cross. Didn't see much of him going forwards in the first half as Derby couldn't keep the ball up there long enough. Better after the break. 6

David Ozoh: Restored to the team in place of Bobby Clark and the midfielder started like he meant business but unfortunately couldn't exert any real influence in the first half. Taken off at half-time. 4.5

Lewis Travis: Played one fine pass out wide to Ben Brereton Diaz which set up a counter attack but when the ball was shifted up front, Derby couldn't keep it in the final third until after half-time. Wasn't far away with a shot in the second half. 6

Rhian Brewster: There were flashes of what he could do but not enough over a consistent period that ever really hurt Millwall where it mattered. Ended up coming off after an hour. 4.5

Sam Szmodics: The on-loan Ipswich attacker was deployed as the number 10 and was a whisker away with a shot in the second half. Also created a chance for Agyemang. 6

Ben Brereton Diaz: Always a willing runner and you can never take that away from him. Just missed a Brewster cross at the back post right near the end of the first half. 5

Patrick Agyemang: Started off pretty well and had a header cleared off the line, but he picked up a knock from that chance and he never really seemed to recover until half-time. Came back out for the second half and had a golden chance he dragged wide. 6

Bobby Clark (Ozoh 45): Gave the ball away a couple of times. 5

Carlton Morris (Brereton Diaz 60): Unfairly booked. 5

Jaydon Banel (Brewster 60): Lively when he came on. 5.5

Oscar Fraulo (Travis 84): Tried to get up to speed of the game in the time he was on. N/A

Richard O'Donnell (Vickers 86): A safe pair of hands. N/A