Derby County 0-2 Barnsley: Rams bottom of Championship after home defeat
- Published
Krystian Bielik's body language tells the story for Derby, who slump to the foot of the table after this loss
Barnsley sent Derby County to the bottom of the Championship with a first away win of the season, thanks to goals from Conor Chaplin and Victor Adeboyejo at Pride Park.
The loss puts further pressure on Rams boss Phillip Cocu, who is self-isolating for 14 days after chief executive Stephen Pearce tested positive for Covid-19, and had to watch on a broadcast stream from home as his side slumped to a seventh league loss of the campaign.
Chaplin gave the Tykes the lead following a catastrophic mistake from Derby keeper David Marshall, who passed loosely across his own box, allowing the forward to drive the ball home past his despairing lunge.
Alex Mowatt might have added a second but dragged his shot wide of the Derby goal, and then flashed a free-kick over the bar.
Derby grafted away without great reward, although only fine, reaction saves from Jack Walton denied Tom Lawrence in the opening half.
Adeboyejo made the win safe in the second half when he took a fine pass from Chaplin and curled a perfect shot beyond Marshall to put Barnsley 16th in the table.
Derby's form represents their worst start to a season since setting an unwanted Premier League record in 2007-08 when they only managed 11 points.
With a takeover close to completion, there may much to be optimistic about off the field for the Rams, but results on it remain a major concern.
Skipper Wayne Rooney was unable to provide the spark, dropping deeper throughout the game in a bid to get on the ball, as Barnsley's game plan worked perfectly.
The roving Mowatt was a bundle of energy, while Chaplin was also a major influence as new boss Valerien Ismael achieved his third win in four games since taking over from Gerhard Struber as head coach.
Derby first-team coach Liam Rosenior:
"Trust me, I go home tonight and I'm not sleeping because it hurts.
"I think we were over-anxious maybe to win the battle, we've got good players and when you are low on confidence you need to remember that you are a good player.
"I can't afford as a coach to make excuses about mistakes because this is 11 games now so I have to look at myself, everyone at the club needs to look at themselves.
"This is a huge football club and we are not doing it justice. There's no way this club should be in the position it's in and I have to hold my hands up to that as well."
Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"It was a great performance. We showed another face today, we were very aggressive and made a lot of pressure and played with high intensity.
"We knew that Derby's confidence was down and we knew that if we could punish a mistake, it would drop even further.
"Second half was a tough game we had a chances and we have to be calmer in the opponent's box but we are very happy with a first away victory and a clean sheet."