After securing a thrilling 1-0 victory over Cardiff at Pride Park, Paul Warne expressed immense pride in his Derby County squad, marking their third consecutive win at home in the Championship.
The pivotal moment arrived in the first half when Kenzo Goudmijn, in a standout performance, netted the lone goal to secure all three points for the team. Despite a scare when Eiran Cashin nearly scored an own goal, goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom’s brilliant save maintained Derby’s lead.
Ebou Adams, a former Cardiff player making his debut against his old club, came close to sealing the victory in stoppage time but narrowly missed an open goal opportunity.
Reflecting on the match, Coach Warne commended his team’s performance, particularly praising their dominance in the first hour. The loss of David Ozoh due to injury and the substitution of Nat Mendez-Laing disrupted their momentum. Warne acknowledged Cardiff’s strategic changes and fresh substitutions, which posed challenges for Derby. Adapting with a defensive tactic, Warne’s decision to switch to a back three to counter Cardiff’s crosses proved effective.
As the game extended to seven minutes of added time, Warne emphasized his pride in the team’s resilience and efforts throughout the match, despite the intense finale that kept fans on the edge of their seats.