Sheffield Wednesday may consider themselves lucky after leaving Pride Park with all three points on Sunday. But a win is a win.
Danny Rohl ends Sheffield Wednesday miserable recent record at Pride Park with a resounding, and dramatic, 2-1 comeback win against Derby County.
A poor first half saw the Owls trailing at the break. But Barry Bannan scored from range to make the score 1-1, with substitute Jamal Lowe then netting the injury time winner.
It’s Sheffield Wednesday’s first win away at Derby County since 2006, and their second away win in as many games with the Owls having now won four of their last five away games in the Championship.
There were some very mixed performances on Sunday afternoon, though. Dominic Iorfa was very poor for Sheffield Wednesday and Bannan also endured a sloppy first 45, albeit shining in the second.
But once again, goalkeeper James Beadle is earning plaudits.
‘Superb’ James Beadle was vital in Sheffield Wednesday win at Derby County
England U21 goalkeeper Beadle was kept on his toes throughout the game against Derby County, albeit not having to make a huge amount of saves.
But when it mattered, Beadle stood up to the challenge. Derby County striker Jerry Yates was thwarted by the Brighton loan man at close range in a key moment of the game.
Beadle also showed tidy footwork throughout, eventually completing 16 passes for Wednesday, as well as making three saves compared to the Derby County goalkeeper who made zero.
After the game, journalist Joe Crann posted on X, stating that Wednesday ‘don’t win that game without James Beadle’.
Crann posted: “#SWFC don’t win that game without James Beadle, by the way. Probably don’t even get a point. Superb from him.”
- READ MORE: What Sheffield Wednesday fans said about Barry Bannan vs Derby County – it sums up Owls’ performance
James Beadle caps strong week at Sheffield Wednesday after Lee Bullen praise
For Sheffield Wednesday and for Beadle, it’s been a very good week, with the 20-year-old goalkeeper shining in the previous win at Hull City.
Beadle again made some hugely important saves in what was a likewise win. After that game against Hull City, former Owls man and BBC commentator Lee Bullen was full of praise.
Bullen said of Beadle’s performance against Hull City last weekend: “The two saves in the first half were absolutely world class. Really laid the foundations of what is a very good three points.”
Earlier in the season, Beadle admitted he’d been poor for Sheffield Wednesday at the start of the campaign. But he’s well and truly back to his best now.