Andreas Weimann came off the bench to score an 84th-minute winner against his former club as Derby County snatched a 1-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion, securing their first Championship win of the season in the most clinical fashion. The Austrian forward’s low finish, Derby’s only shot on target all afternoon, spoiled the Baggies’ celebrations marking 125 years at The Hawthorns and condemned Ryan Mason’s side to a first league defeat of the campaign.
West Brom had taken 10 points from their opening four matches and largely controlled territory again here, working the ball into wide areas and pinning Derby back for long spells, but they could not find a way past the outstanding Jacob Widell Zetterstrom or the visitors’ packed defence. Jayson Molumby came closest for the hosts with a fierce late effort that crashed off the crossbar, yet it was Derby who made the decisive moment count to move off the mark and extend their excellent recent record against Albion.
Albion Set The Early Tempo But Lack Cutting Edge
Mason’s side started on the front foot, forcing Derby straight into the very low defensive block that would define much of the contest. An early opportunity fell to Isaac Price, whose well-struck volley was straight at Zetterstrom, the Derby keeper holding on cleanly to settle any visiting nerves but underlining Albion’s early dominance of territory.