GW30: Wycombe Wanderers 1-2 Derby County
Wisdom Snatches Winner at Wycombe
​Abbie Thomson
Date Published: Wednesday 17th February 2021
Derby win five games in six, with injury time goal from Wisdom.
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Andre Wisdom grabbed the 94th minute winner to take Derby from 19th to 16th in the Championship, as an unlucky Wycombe lose out again, leaving them ten points from safety.
Image Source: Derby County Twitter
In the 14th minute Daryl Horgan had the ball in the back of the net, hitting it in from David Wheeler’s free kick. The goal was quickly rescinded as the offside flag was up. However, discussion after the game does suggest, Horgan was onside.
Minutes later, unfortunate Wycombe fell behind when Martyn Waghorn’s corner deflected off of Uche Ikpeazu’s head, directly into the goal. The Ram’s specialise in set piece goals, and this time was no different.
After a great period of play from the Chairboy’s, Horgan struck the ball just wide from outside of the box, which gave Wycombe their best chance yet.
When the Ram’s centre back Matt Clarke went off injured, Derby were left a man down, a few minutes that Wycombe took full advantage of, speeding up their play. It was a first start for Man United’s Teden Menghi, on loan at Derby, as he was thrown into the deep end, covering the centre back role, until the Ram’s made a change.
Just before the end of the first half the Derby goalkeeper kept his side ahead, as he flipped over a great header from Ikpeazu.
There was no way Gareth Ainsworth wanted the half to end, as Wycombe were taking control.
Image Source: Sky Sports
The second half started with excitement as three minutes in, Jason Knight took out Josh Knight in the box resulting in a penalty for the Chairboy's.
Ikpeazu quickly redeemed his first half blunder, smacking the ball into the back of the net, bringing the scores level.
This was the first time in four games, that the Chairboy’s had not gone two goals down, and they began to pile the pressure onto Derby.
A few minutes later, the Ram’s almost took the lead once again when a free kick taken by Waghorn saw Craig Forsyth head it just wide of the post. An almost redeeming chance for Derby.
In a second half that flew by, Wycombe really came into the game, Derby got another chance, when Ryan Allsop had to act quickly, making a terrific save, to keep out an effort from Knight.
Shortly after, Allsop once again had to think on his feet, denying Lee Gregory a goal, tipping it just over the bar. The Ram’s were piling on the pressure with some great play.
Ikpeazu tried his luck again with a great strike, which unfortunately for Wycombe, was tipped over the bar by Marshall. A shot that with only minutes left, would have put Wycombe ahead.
As the half was coming to an end, in a game that was looking like a draw, a free kick taken by Waghorn, hit the goal post, straight into the path of Andre Wisdom, who hit the back of the net and snatched the injury time winner.
An unlucky defeat for Wycombe, who fought strong and played well throughout the game.
In a post-match interview, a disheartened Gareth Ainsworth believed his team were “outstanding” and said, “it’s awesome to know we can perform like that against one of the on-form teams in the division”.
Wayne Rooney was not so happy with his side telling the media “I’m delighted with the three points, but I’m really disappointed and angry with the performance” saying his side must do better, and “play better football”.
Man of the Match – Andre Wisdom. Not only did Wisdom hold the back four together throughout the game, he also won Derby the three points, with seconds to go. A goal that was also his first league goal, making Wisdom the most deserving Man of the Match.