Ten years ago today, on Monday 28th May 2007, Derby County were celebrating promotion to the Premier League.
.jpg)
Sunderland and Birmingham City had already secured their places in the top flight during the regular league campaign via the automatic route, but one spot was still up for grabs through the play-off route.
Derby had been in poll position to finish in the top two following a fine campaign under Billy Davies, but a late-season wobble saw them finish in third spot, two points behind Birmingham in second spot.
So, after coming through a tense and nervy two-legged semi-final on penalties against Southampton, the Baggies were their opponents in what was the first Championship Play-Off Final at the newly-rebuilt Wembley Stadium.
Albion had finished in fourth spot in the table during the season and overcame local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers at the semi-final stage to reach Wembley.
The Final had the makings of a really intriguing showdown and those watching on weren’t disappointed.
On a rain-soaked afternoon in the capital, Derby had to ride their luck to reach the top flight in a tight 1-0 victory. They were also at their resilient best against the side that had finished as the Championship’s top goalscorers in 2006/07.
Derby had boasted a mean defensive record all season, showing battling skills, determination and resilience as a side, and those qualities were certainly required on the big stage.
Davies’ side had finished the season eight points clear of their opponents, but Tony Mowbray's men had the most of the play on the day.
However, they just couldn’t find a way through. This was Derby’s day.
The dangerous Diomansy Kamara was denied by goalkeeper Stephen Bywater early on, playmaker Jason Koumas shot over and the potent Kevin Phillips hit the crossbar for Albion in a goalless first half.
The best chance, though, was Derby’s in the opening 45 minutes as Steve Howard played fellow frontman Paul Peschisolido in, but his low shot was easily saved by Dean Kiely.
The Rams started the second half under more pressure but nearly took the lead just before the hour when skipper Matt Oakley let fly with a first-time shot in the box from Craig Fagan’s cross, but Kiely was equal to it with a fine reaction save.
But with 61 minutes on the clock, Derby did score.
.jpg)
Howard played in substitute Giles Barnes to drill a low ball across the face of goal and Stephen Pearson, signed from Celtic midway through the season, shook off the attentions of Paul McShane and slotted home his first goal for Derby to spark scenes of jubilation.
With 29 minutes still remaining, the Rams had to dig in to see out the contest as the Baggies applied plenty of pressure.
Zoltan Gera and Paul Robinson had chances but Bywater was again in fine form when it really mattered and it was a case of all hands of deck in the closing stages.
The final whistle was greeted by wild Derby celebrations as their return to the top table of English football, albeit short lived as it turned out, was secured.
It was some turnaround having finished 20th the previous season and just eight points clear of the relegation zone.
The way the final was played out was symptomatic of Derby during the 2006/07 season; solid, resilient and strong as a team. On top of that, they had the quality to punish teams at the other end.
It was a day for celebration and yet another memorable moment in the club’s long and illustrious history.
.jpg)
Derby County: Bywater, Mears, Leacock, Moore, McEveley, Fagan (Edworthy 83), Oakley, Seth Johnson (Jones 87), Pearson, Howard, Peschisolido (Barnes 58).
Subs Not Used: Camp, Macken.
Booked: Peschisolido, Mears, Bywater, Oakley, Jones.
Goal: Pearson 61.
West Bromwich Albion: Kiely, McShane (Ellington 71), Perry, Sodje (Clement 81), Robinson, Koumas, Greening, Gera (Carter 71), Koren, Kamara, Phillips.
Subs Not Used: Daniels, Chaplow.
Booked: Sodje, McShane, Perry.
Attendance: 74,993.
Referee: Graham Poll (Hertfordshire).
Man of the Match: Matt Oakley.
