Derby County claimed a vital point in the promotion race after drawing against league leaders Portsmouth, with one player now receiving huge praise.
A mouth-watering clash took centre stage at Fratton Park as first took on second in League One. Derby knew a victory would send them two points behind Portsmouth, while the hosts aimed to put one hand on the title.
Derby took the lead in the match through a ferocious strike from Joe Ward following an electric run from Corey Blackett-Taylor.
Despite being pegged back moments later by a fine Pompey team move, finished off by Abu Kamara, Ward was at the double with Paul Warne‘s men striking a second on the counter.
Unfortunately, Derby failed to hold out for a mammoth three points, instead settling for one after substitute Owen Moxon fired a cannon past Joe Wildsmith.
As the spoils were shared at Fratton Park, Ward and Blackett-Taylor received the most plaudits, but ball-winning midfielder Ebou Adams continued his fine form.
Ebou Adams played a key role against Portsmouth
After scoring his first goal at Pride Park on Good Friday, the on-loan Cardiff City star had a bit between his teeth against Portsmouth.
Warne set his team up in a 4-4-2 system, with Adams and Korey Smith anchoring the midfield.
The pair were brilliant at eating up ground against Blackpool as Derby looked to dominate proceedings, but last night, the visitors had to sit back in their shape and soak up pressure.
This was a different type of assignment as Warne instructed his players to hit Portsmouth on the counter-attack and the reason for their success was due to the energy and pressing of Adams.
Hailed as “excellent” on Sky Sports commentary by former Peterborough striker Aaron McClean, the 28-year-old won 80% of his ground duels (4/5), timed three tackles to perfection and made two clearances.
Adams was a nuisance to play against, and McClean wasn’t the only person to praise him for his incredible display.
Ebou Adams hailed as ‘immense’ during Portsmouth draw
The superlatives to describe Adams in a Derby shirt are drying up after impressing since his arrival in the January transfer window.
Derby would love to sign the Gambian permanently, and journalist Leigh Curtis has supported such a claim by waxing lyrical over his display against Pompey.
Awarding the tackling machine a 7.5/10 match rating via the Derby Telegraph, Curtis described his performance as ‘typically bustling’ and ‘immense’ in equal measure.
He wrote: “Battled away manfully in the middle of the park. Rattled into some tackles and generally put his head in where it was in danger of getting hurt. A typically bustling performance and was immense at times after the break. 7.5”
As Curtis alluded to, Adams played a vital role in seeing out the match, putting his body on the line for the team and protecting his defence with a colossal effort.
Adams will next take to the field for Derby a week today, with Warne’s men travelling to Wycombe Wanderers.
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