On Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, West Bromwich Albion faced Derby County in a crucial Championship clash at The Hawthorns, with an attendance of 25,750. The stakes were high for both teams; West Brom was seeking redemption after a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Coventry City just three days prior, while Derby was fighting for survival, sitting precariously above the relegation zone.
West Brom, under the guidance of manager Tony Mowbray, was in dire need of a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. They entered the match six points adrift of the top six and had not won back-to-back matches since September 2024. Mowbray made three changes to the starting lineup, bringing in Mason Holgate, Ousmane Diakite, and Grady Diangana to replace the suspended Callum Styles, midfielder Alex Mowatt, and attacker Karlan Grant.
Derby County, managed by John Eustace, was also under pressure, sitting in 21st place and just above Luton Town by goal difference. A win was essential for the Rams to bolster their chances of staying in the Championship. Eustace’s side had faced a setback in their last match but was determined to turn things around against West Brom.
The match kicked off with Derby taking control early on. Just seven minutes in, Ebou Adams opened the scoring for the Rams, heading home from a corner delivered by Marcus Harness. The visitors quickly asserted their dominance, and West Brom struggled to respond effectively.
As the first half progressed, Derby doubled their lead in the 30th minute. Another set-piece proved to be West Brom's downfall, as a flick-on from Sondre Langas set up Jerry Yates for a close-range tap-in. The home supporters grew restless, expressing their frustration as the Baggies offered little in terms of offensive threat.
West Brom had a chance to pull one back before halftime, but a well-placed shot from Tom Fellows was expertly saved by Derby goalkeeper Josh Vickers, keeping the scoreline at 2-0 as both teams headed into the break.
In the second half, West Brom came out with renewed energy, but they still struggled to break down a resolute Derby defense. Mowbray's side finally found the back of the net in the 70th minute when Adam Armstrong, who had been a bright spot for the Baggies throughout the match, latched onto a pass from Grady Diangana and finished confidently to make it 2-1.
However, Derby responded quickly to regain control. In the dying minutes of the match, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing sealed the victory for the Rams with a well-taken goal, rounding the West Brom goalkeeper Josh Griffiths before slotting the ball home. This goal, coming late in the game, sent the away fans into raptures and ensured Derby left The Hawthorns with a vital 3-1 win.
The defeat was a bitter pill for West Brom to swallow, and it proved to be the final straw for Mowbray, who was sacked shortly after the match. The club released a statement thanking Mowbray and assistant coach Mark Venus for their efforts but acknowledged that a change was necessary following a series of poor results. "The club would like to place on record its thanks to Tony and Mark for their efforts - but has made the decision to part company following a series of poor results," the statement read.
In the wake of Mowbray's departure, James Morrison has been appointed to oversee the team on an interim basis, with Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill supporting him. This leadership change comes as West Brom faces a challenging end to the season, having lost five of their last six matches, which has severely dented their playoff aspirations.
Reflecting on the match, Mowbray expressed disappointment with his team's performance, stating, "I felt they lacked a bit of courage on the ball, too many backwards and sideways passes. Our situation over the defeats at Coventry and Bristol City have affected confidence. You need big characters when things are tough and tricky, so it was a disappointing day for us all." He emphasized the need for his players to regain their confidence and find ways to turn their fortunes around in the remaining fixtures.
Conversely, Eustace was pleased with his team's performance, noting, "We had a game plan coming into it and I thought we were spot on. We work hard on set pieces and I was pleased to see two come off today. The Championship is relentless. If you start worrying about the other teams you'll cause yourself problems. I'm focused on my football team. To get a win now is really pleasing, we recovered from a couple of setbacks."
This victory not only boosts Derby's hopes of avoiding relegation but also highlights the ongoing struggles of West Brom as they navigate a tumultuous period in their season. With only a few matches left to play, both teams will be looking to secure vital points in their respective battles, making every match a must-watch as the Championship season enters its final stretch.
