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What Wayne Rooney did to Nathaniel Mendez-Laing amid a 'strange' Derby County admission
Derby County's lack of ruthlessness let Wayne Rooney off the hook on his return to Pride Park as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Derby had looked on course to seal their second win of the week when Jerry Yates opened the scoring early with a magical overhead kick for his third goal of the season.
Warne's side continued to knock on the door as they searched for a second goal, but despite creating some good opportunities, they were punished when Adam Randell's free-kick took a deflection and sailed past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
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Derby dominated possession in the second half and did come close to a winner when Yates' audacious 60-yard lob drew a save from Daniel Grimshaw before Curtis Nelson headed straight at the goalkeeper from a corner.
Here's all the talking points from the weekend....
Rooney's classy touch
Wayne Rooney admitted it was strange being back at the club that launched his managerial career in what was undoubtedly a baptism of fire. He had to deal with Derby being in administration, two points deductions, transfer embargoes, and his job at Pride Park was as much about dealing with off-field events as it was about picking the team.
But the fans have always appreciated the job he did during the darkest chapter in the club's history before he decided to quit in the summer of June 2022. He was afforded a warm reception here and it is clear that wherever Rooney's path takes him in management, they will always have a place in his heart.
One wonders what he might have achieved at Derby had he been dealt a fair hand, given the excellent spirit he fostered during his time in charge. But he is now trying to make a fist of it at Plymouth who were fortunate to make the long trek down the M5 with a point in tow.
But Rooney showed class in the first half when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing slipped right in front of him. He saw the winger to his feet and gently tapped him on the back. The ex-Derby manager will always be box-office wherever he goes, but it's clear there is still a lot of love and respect for him in these parts.
Thompson excels
Liam Thompson left this game clutching the man of the match award, which was given the seal of approval by Rooney, who handed the midfielder his debut during his time in charge at Pride Park.
"I thought he was fantastic," said the Plymouth manager who spoke with pride at his development as a player. Thompson has had to bide his time to make this Derby team this season, and you always sensed it would be tough for him to dislodge the likes of Ebou Adams, Kenzo Goudmijn, Ben Osborn and David Ozoh.
But he was excellent against Coventry in midweek, which meant he deservedly kept his place, and he backed that up here with another lung-bursting performance. Plymouth simply could not shake him off as he snapped into the tackles, pressed with great enthusiasm and demonstrated a trick or two.
He put so much into this game that he was on fumes in the final stages, but he has staked a significant case to be a big part of this Derby team this season.
Huffing and puffing
Paul Warne said he could not criticise his players for their performance because he felt they dominated the game, an assessment that was supported by the statistics. Derby had 20 shots compared to Plymouth's five and incredibly during the whole 90 minutes, the visitors touched the ball just six times in the box.
In comparison Derby had 38 and looking at the numbers, their domination was clear. Indeed, after Yates had opened the scoring with a stunning overhead kick so early on, many felt that this would be a procession to another three points. They engineered many promising attacks after taking the lead but disappointingly, Grimshaw's reflexes were seldom tested.
Had there been more quality in the final third, this would have been a convincing win, but it's not the first time that Derby's edge in the final third has let them down. Mendez-Laing underwhelmed and Kayden Jackson had the energy, but the quality they needed deserted them at the crucial stages. It may well shape what they do when the January transfer window opens.
Yates's audacity
The striker's overhead kick will undoubtedly be among the goal of the season contenders when we reach the end of the campaign, but he almost struck one better after the break.
When he picked the ball up in his own half, the on-loan Swansea striker produced an audacious 60-yard lob which looked to be heading in until Grimshaw raced back, collided with his post but just kept it out.
It was a moment of breathtaking quality from a player who must feel he is clicking into gear after his goal against Coventry in midweek and his quite stunning opener on Saturday. Derby will hope that will continue when they resume Championship duty against Preston after the international break.
