Overview
- Wrexham won 2-1 at Pride Park, with Sam Smith opening the scoring, Ben Brereton Diaz leveling before the break, and James deciding it early in the second half.
- James punished a misplaced pass from Sondre Langas and curled in from long range to restore Wrexham’s lead.
- The victory marks a fourth straight win for Phil Parkinson’s side and strengthens their push toward the Championship play-offs.
- Derby head coach John Eustace said he was disappointed with the defeat, as local analysis characterizes the Rams as mid-table and on a stabilizing trajectory.
- Reports note Wrexham’s summer spend in excess of £30m under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with unconfirmed chatter about a potential £14m striker move in January.