Overview
- Bobby Clark scored on 70 minutes at Pride Park to seal Derby's 1-0 win.
- Middlesbrough controlled long spells and created multiple clear chances but failed to score for a fourth straight match, extending a four-game winless run.
- The result pushed Boro down to third as Ipswich leapfrogged them into the automatic spots, with Coventry increasing its advantage over Boro to nine points.
- New signing Adilson Malanda was unavailable after international clearance did not arrive in time for the match.
- Full-back Callum Brittain was forced off injured, compounding defensive issues, as Kim Hellberg lamented missed chances and Derby's John Eustace hailed Clark's display after a precautionary knee scan.