Relief for Rooney after Baldock hits debut winner

Wayne Rooney cut a relieved figure after Derby lifted the pressure on their beleaguered head coach with a first win in 10 league games.

Sam Baldock’s debut goal early in the second half ended a six-month wait for an away victory to make the embryonic Championship table look rather more palatable.

Derby were given permission to sign Baldock and fellow free agent Phil Jagielka on short-term deals until January, despite being under a transfer embargo for failing to file three lots of annual accounts.

The veteran duo stood out at either end of the pitch, and Derby’s assistant manager Liam Rosenior said: “Phil and Sam were both outstanding. They know exactly what we want from them and they bring so much with them to help the team.

“Sam does the unselfish stuff, all the ugly side of the game so well and Jags is just a top quality player. People talk about his age, but his calming influence is clear.”

Kamil Jozwiak and Baldock wasted clear first-half openings with the latter’s tame finish going straight at Matt Ingram.

The 32-year-old made no mistake after the break, firing home a closerange winner for his first goal in 13 months after Ingram failed to hold Lee Buchanan’s low drive.

Jagielka, who turned 39 this week, stood out in a 75-year-old central defensive pairing with former Hull captain Curtis Davies as Derby held out with some comfort for a fully merited win.

It is consecutive home defeats for Hull after their opening-day win at

Preston, and manager Grant Mccann said: “Their keeper hasn’t really had a save to make, and we didn’t look a threat. There are going to be times this season when that happens and when it does we’ve got to make sure we keep the door shut.”

Hull City (4-2-3-1) Ingram; Coyle, Jones, Greaves, Elder; Smallwood (Huddlestone 73), Docherty; Williams (Jarvis 73), Smith (Eaves 78), Lewis-potter; Magennis.

Subs Baxter (g), Emmanuel, Cannon, Bernard.

Booked Jones.

Derby County (4-2-3-1) Roos; Byrne, Jagielka, Davies, Buchanan (Forsyth 61); Bird, Shinnie; Jozwiak, Sibley, Morrison (Steadman 84); Baldock (Stretton 74).

Subs Allsop (g), Watson, Hutchinson, Williams.

Booked Morrison, Roos, Stretton.

Referee Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire).