Substitute success for Derby as Rooney’s men complete Brentford bounce back

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Derby County rocked Brentford on Tuesday evening, coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 courtesy of a few sublime substitutions.

In what was already, on paper, an uphill battle for the Rams, they certainly made it no easier for themselves by going behind after just eight minutes.

Ivan Toney, the league’s leading goalscorer, slipped a pass through to Bryan Mbeumo who was then knocked off balance in the box by left-back Lee Buchanan. Referee David Webb pointed straight to the spot, awarding a penalty which Toney took with aplomb as he finished coolly into the bottom left hand corner to take his goal tally to 27.

Moments later there was a huge let off for the hosts as Brentford went close to doubling their advantage through Byran Mbeumo. The Frenchman was sent clear through on goal by teammate Mathias Jensen, but swept his shot wide of Kelle Roos’ near post.

By the 26th minute, the Bees had indeed doubled their advantage courtesy of a sweet Sergi Canos strike. In plenty of space, the winger cut in from the left flank and fired a low effort into the bottom left hand corner to mark his return to the starting lineup.

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The Bees are in search of top flight football and the two sides certainly looked leagues apart following that second goal. Thomas Frank’s side were comfortable on and off the ball for the remainder of the half, allowing Derby no way whatsoever back into the tie.

Wayne Rooney must have been scratching his head at half-time following 45 minutes of what was essentially ‘men versus boys’. It is safe to say that his pondering well and truly worked off.

Ahead of the restart, the Derby boss made mass alterations which saw Kamil Jozwiak, Louie Watson and Max Bird make way for Lee Gregory, Louie Sibley and Teden Mengi. The change in personnel allowed the hosts to switch formations, going from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2.

Part of the inspired triple substitution, Stoke City loanee Gregory made an immediate impact, handing the Rams a lifeline with his close range finish in the 47th minute.

It was the 32-year-old that got his name on the scoresheet, but huge credit has to go to Nathan Byrne. The right-back burst into the box to receive the ball from Colin Kazim-Richards before putting it on a plate for Gregory to tap home from two yards out.

Suddenly, Derby were on the front foot with Gregory yet again the focal point of the attack. On the counter, Kazim-Richards launched a through ball over the Bees’ back line which his strike partner ran onto, however, just as connection had been made to strike the ball goalwards, Vitaly Janelt slid in impeccably to direct the ball out for a corner.

The substitute then had another opportunity to draw the game level from the following set-piece. Brentford ‘keeper David Raya failed to deal with the in-swinging delivery, flapping the ball back into danger, though he made up for it by then blocking Gregory’s effort within earshot of goal.

With five minutes of normal time remaining, Rooney made his final change of the evening, replacing Andre Wisdom with Patrick Roberts.

As was the case with Gregory, Roberts too made an instant impact, picking the ball up on the edge of the area and displaying some tidy footwork before slotting a pass through to Sibley. The teenager quickly shifted the ball onto his left foot and curled a fantastic effort into the matching top corner to grab a precious equaliser for the Rams. 

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The game ended all square, moving Derby a point further away from the relegation zone and Brentford now five points off the top two – a damaging second half lapse for the Bees indeed.

Speaking to the media after the match, Frank described Rooney’s half-time tactical switch up as a “master stroke” and it’s difficult to disagree.

Three of the Rams’ substitutes were directly involved in the comeback, eluding to a tactical nous we were previously yet to see during the England legend’s reign at Pride Park – perhaps a sign of things to come for Rooney and Derby.

The Rams face Stoke City next up, whereas Brentford host Nottingham Forest.

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