No money, no hope of survival – yet brimming with spirit: Derby beat favourites WBA

Everyone's written them off a long time ago, but the Rams won't go out without a noble fight. Even though they've been handed a 21-point deduction, Wayne Rooney and his players are giving everything they've got on the pitch and have claimed the scalp of West Bromwich Albion, one of the candidates for promotion.

After 17 Championship matches played, Derby County have amassed a grand total of -3 points

It's like the hardship that's been a part of the Derbyshire club has united the players and management. Their defiance shone through yet again as Colin Kazim Richards scored the only goal of the game at Pride Park on Monday night. The English-born former Turkey international made the most out of a defensive mistake to snatch a goal just seconds after coming on from the bench.

Both sides were missing key players as a result of Covid-19 protocol - Graeme Shinnie, Kamil Jozwiak, Phil Jagielka and Tom Lawrence for Derby and Alex Mowatt and top scorer Karlan Grant for Albion.

Derby's prospective takeover by American businessman Chris Kirchner was called off on Christmas Eve, with the club's administrators saying an announcement on an alternative preferred bidder is "imminent". The news spoiled Christmas for many Derby fans, but at least their players' fighting spirit is making them proud.

Derby ensured their fifth clean sheet of the season thanks to their pairing of veteran centre-backs Richard Stearman and Curtis Davies and gave their fans some reason to be jolly in the festive season - despite their team still being rooted to the bottom of the EFL Championship.

Derby entered administration in September and are currently bottom of the Championship, having been deducted a total of 21 points this season. Their chances are slender indeed but they arent' giving up the fight.

EFL CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 24

Monday

Derby County - West Bromwich Albion 1-0 (0-0)

/Kazim Richards 58/