Steps forward - and now for more hard work

DERBY County signed off for the international break with their best footballing performance of the season as they held Southampton to a 1-1 draw at the weekend.

- By LEIGH CURTIS

Patrick Agyemang’s first goal for the club cancelled out Adam Armstrong’s early opener in a fascinating Championship clash in which both goalkeepers were in excellent form.

The result still left Derby searching for their first home win of the season but head coach John Eustace was pleased with the display against a Saints side relegated from the Premier League last season.

Derby are now back in action against Oxford United on Saturday, October 18 once the international break ends for a 12.30pm kickoff, up against former boss Gary Rowett, who is in charge at the Kassam Stadium.

Here are a few bits of news from my notebook over the weekend.

Agyemang notices ref difference

Patrick Agyemang is not fazed by the physical demands of the Championship but thinks referees handle the game differently than they do in the MLS.

The American scored his first goal for the Rams in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Southampton and it was a bustling performance from the ex-Charlotte FC striker.

But he had to withstand some robust challenges that were not penalised as fouls by referee Oliver Langford.