Misfiring Derby punished by Paterson
WAYNE ROONEY somehow lost this showdown of the two interim bosses after Callum Paterson nodded in against the run of play. Derby dominated from start to finish, yet it was Sheffield Wednesday, under caretaker Neil Thompson, who celebrated the new year by climbing out of the Championship relegation places. Thompson, who had dugout spells in the basement division at York and Boston at the turn of the century, has won both games since being placed in charge following the Owls’ split with Tony Pulis. Thompson said: ‘We rode our luck a wee bit and the lads looked a bit leggy but they have given everything they’ve got.’ Rooney was condemned to only a second defeat in nine matches since swapping a place up front for one in the technical area by a set-piece goal after 61 minutes. Barry Bannan’s dead-ball delivery lured Derby goalkeeper David Marshall from his line and, when his punch failed to clear the area, Liam Shaw headed forward and Paterson’s instinctive flick of the forehead proved decisive. The two clubs are now level on points — and they have other similarities, too. Neither set of players received their December wages on time and, while that matter has been resolved at Hillsborough, Derby’s delayed payroll is understood to be related to the imminent takeover by Derventio Holdings. Wednesday goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith, recalled because of a knock to Keiren Westwood, did not have many saves to make but he had to be alert to beat out Louie Sibley’s piledriver on the quarter hour and was grateful that Graeme Shinnie shanked the follow-up. Then, after Matt Clarke’s goalbound effort had been inadvertently deflected wide by Wednesday defender Tom Lees, a header from Colin Kazim-Richards beat Wildsmith but hit the bar. Derby were denied a late penalty for handball when Kadeem Harris blocked Lee Buchanan’s shot. Rooney said: ‘I don’t need to see a replay of that. I saw from the dugout it was a penalty. The fourth official saw it and I keep asking why there is no communication.’