Forward Scored on Friday in a Draw, But Struggled for Involvement in Monday's Defeat
Patrick Agyemang's prolific form continued on Boxing Day as the U.S. international striker netted his sixth goal of the season in Derby County's 1-1 draw with Birmingham City. The 25-year-old, who joined the Rams from Charlotte FC in a deal reportedly worth $8 million, has now found the net four times in his last six appearances, cementing his status as a key attacking threat for the Championship side.
Agyemang's header in the 27th minute came from excellent work by Rhian Brewster, whose lofted cross picked out the unmarked forward for a close-range finish. The goal showcased the developing partnership between the two strikers, something Agyemang was keen to highlight after the match. "We communicate on and off the pitch a lot," he explained to Sky Sports, emphasizing their understanding of each other's strengths.
The draw became more impressive given Derby's circumstances, as they played over half the contest with 10 men following Joe Ward's dismissal before halftime. Agyemang praised his teammates' resilience, saying, "It shows the character of the team. We stayed defensively strong and as a family unit."
However, Agyemang's performance dipped in Monday's 2-1 defeat to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The striker managed just 26 touches—the fewest of any outfield player completing the full 90 minutes. While he showed glimpses of his pace when running at Leicester's defense and forced a save with a deflected effort, his overall impact was limited. He completed only 70% of his passes and failed to complete any of his four dribble attempts, struggling to replicate his earlier influence as Derby fell to defeat despite Brewster's equalizer.
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