26/04 - 20:00
Needing a win to confirm survival, but looking disturbingly bereft of ideas after a six-game losing streak, Derby took on one of their direct rivals for the final Championship spot today, Sheffield Wednesday, whilst also praying for a favour from Cardiff against the third side in the mix, Rotherham.
The Action: Dealt an early blow, Rotherham took an eighth-minute lead against Coventry through Lewis Wing, lifting them above Derby, before things were made even worse by the Rams themselves, letting in a first-half stoppage time opener from Sam Hutchinson.
Derby were down and out at the break, second from bottom, with Wayne Rooney giving the most difficult team talk of his short and troubled career. He seemed to make an impact though, with three crazy minutes seeing Derby back safe in 21st through Martin Waghorn and Patrick Roberts.
10 minutes later, with an hour played, some horror defending saw Wednesday back level thanks to Callum Patterson, before Julian Borner stunned the hosts and sent Derby back down to 23rd with 20 minutes to play.
Wednesday kept attacking though, and gifted Derby two excellent breakaway chances, the second of which resulting in a Waghorn penalty and brace, all but ending Wednesday’s hopes of survival with 10 to play.
And soon after, Derby fans could breathe a sigh of relief as Cardiff equalised against Rotherham with two minutes to go, sending United down with Wednesday, and keeping Derby in a league they’ve done their best to exit under Rooney.
The Big Picture: Derby survive, for now, but will need huge changes this summer to avoid another relegation battle, with their proposed takeover reportedly on the brink of collapse. The story isn’t too different for Sheffield Wednesday, while the only good news seems to be Wycombe’s valiant end to a season where the odds were stacked against them.
🚨 BREAKING🚨
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 8, 2021
Wayne Rooney's Derby County have AVOIDED relegation from the Championship and sent down Sheffield Wednesday after that 3-3 draw! 👏
Look what it means to the players! 💪 pic.twitter.com/VAH7bGqxiR
