West Brom top Championship after gritty 1-0 win at Derby despite red card

West Bromwich Albion produced a resilient performance at Pride Park, defeating Derby County 1-0 despite playing with 10 men for over an hour. The victory not only secured three valuable points but also propelled Carlos Corberán's side to the top of the Championship table. The match unfolded with high drama: West Brom took an early lead through a swift counter-attack, then had to withstand intense pressure after Brayann Pereira was sent off in the 34th minute. In the 6th minute, Jimmy-Jay Morgan crossed for Aune Heggebo, who finished coolly to open the scoring. The red card came after a clumsy challenge on Charlie Taylor, forcing West Brom into a defensive shell. Despite Derby's dominance in the second half, they failed to convert chances—Lars-Jorgen Salvesen missed two headers, and Henrik Meister's late effort was cleared off the line by Nat Phillips. West Brom's tactical discipline and gritty defence secured a memorable win, moving them to the summit of the Championship. Derby, meanwhile, suffered a second consecutive home defeat, highlighting their inconsistency. The result underscores West Brom's promotion credentials while raising questions about Derby's ability to turn pressure into points.