Derby County had a well deserved draw here tonight at Pride Park, the final score 1-1.
The Rams fought hard and were holding the Black Cats at half time and the game was beautifully poised. The premiership power of Sunderland seemed to have been too much for the Rams when James McLean scored in the 71st minute.
Derby wouldn’t give in and had good periods of the game in the closing stages, a triple substitution by Nigel Clough was the key to the Rams gaining a draw. New signing Michael Hoganson and former Newcastle player made himself really unpopular with the travelling fans by putting over a great cross in the 89th minute and Nathan Tyson grabbed the equaliser with a close range header.
The Rams new look side looks to be shaping up well and all bodes well for the coming Championship season...