The Bees held the Rams to a 0-0 draw, in a tightly contested homecoming for new Derby manager, Steve McClaren.
Brentford recovered from Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Newcastle, by securing a point at a Derby side under their third manager of the campaign already.
Dean Smith’s side have now gone 3 league games without a win, but overall the boss will be pleased with his team’s start. Brentford lie 8th in the league, as things stand.
Smith would have made the trip to the Midlands expecting a tough game after the return of McClaren. During the former England manager’s first spell in charge of the club, he took Derby from mid-table also-rans, to a team who should have won promotion to the Premier League (queue painful flashbacks of Bobby Zamora for Rams fans).
Saturday’s 1-0 win over Leeds United, in McClaren’s first game back in charge, would only have heightened the fear in Bees fans that Derby would head into this fixture on a wave of new boss buoyancy. However, the Bees managed to hold their own under difficult circumstances. In fact, Brentford probably had the better of the chances in this one!
The game’s first real chance saw Derby goalkeeper, Scott Carson, forced into an early save from John Egan. Carson had to be at full stretch, to tip the Irish defender’s shot behind.
While, star Brentford striker Scott Hogan, managed to get around Carson, before only finding the side netting with his shot at goal.
Derby had their chances too. Tom Ince forcing Brentford keeper Daniel Bentley into action, with a well-struck free-kick.
Johnny Russell and Ince both passed up opportunities for the hosts in the second half, while Romaine Sawyers had a penalty appeal turned down for Brentford.
The home fans seemed disappointed with their team’s efforts at full-time, despite securing a point against a Bees side who sit just one point off the play-off places.
Derby’s creative spark was hindered, when Will Hughes limped off in the first-half. The loss of the England U21 international proved to be a blow.
For Brentford, they now sit in a healthy position in the division, after 13 games. Last night’s point also saw them obtain their first clean sheet against Derby in 11 attempts. The last time this occurred was back in 1953, with the West London’s sides last win at the Rams, all the way back in 1939! When you put it like that, perhaps tonight’s result wasn’t too bad for Smith’s men!
