Patrick Agyemang once again proved decisive for Derby County, striking late to hand the Rams a priceless 1–0 away win over Preston North End in a fiercely contested Championship encounter at Deepdale.
Deployed as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 setup, the American-born forward of Ghanaian descent showed the composure of a seasoned finisher when it mattered most.
With eight minutes remaining, Agyemang timed his movement into the penalty area to perfection, calmly converting after a sharp and purposeful surge down the left from Ben Brereton Díaz.
While the scoreline suggests a cagey affair, Derby were the more assertive side for long stretches. Paul Warne’s men controlled the attacking narrative, carving out the clearer openings and finishing the night with 18 attempts on goal compared to Preston’s 13.
Big Pat wins it for the Rams. 😎🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/TWAoRVXvRx
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) January 17, 2026
Their superiority was also reflected in the underlying numbers, as the visitors generated the higher expected goals but initially found themselves frustrated by stubborn defending and missed opportunities.
Persistence eventually paid off. Brereton Díaz injected urgency into the final third, driving directly at Preston’s back line before picking out Agyemang with a well-weighted square pass. The striker made no mistake, guiding the ball home to silence the Deepdale crowd and seal the contest.
The victory represents another step forward for Derby, easing them away from the congested mid-table pack and reinforcing their recent recovery after setbacks against Leeds United and Wrexham. Momentum is steadily building, and performances are beginning to match ambition.
For Agyemang, the goal underlines a growing influence in the Rams’ campaign. He now boasts seven goals and three assists from 23 Championship appearances in the 2025/26 season, numbers that reflect both consistency and development.
Things you LOVE to see. 🕺🤩
Enjoy Pat leading the bounce as we celebrate our three points together. 🐏 pic.twitter.com/SpRK07BaTn
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) January 17, 2026
Derby’s attention now turns quickly to their next challenge: a tricky away fixture against Charlton Athletic at The Valley on Tuesday, 20 January, as they continue their pursuit of a genuine push toward the playoff positions.
