Derby County manager Paul Clement satisfied with point against Middlesbrough

But, with two minutes remaining, substitute Johnny Russell struck the equaliser to earn the Rams a third straight draw in the league, maintaining an unbeaten league record for new boss Paul Clement. Despite being on top in the early stages Derby found themselves a goal behind on sixteen minutes when George Friend cut in from the left and scuffed a shot that fell perfectly into the path of Kike who slid a low finish past Scott Carson.

Though Derby continued to enjoy the lion’s share of the possession and probed for another opening, Boro had few other moments of alarm before they broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through Kike.

Derby drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough, with Johnny Russell’s late strike cancelling out Kike’s first-half goal, and Clement felt a point was the least his side deserved.

The Spanish striker, who scored two goals against Bolton on Saturday, nearly had another double shortly afterwards but his header from a deep Downing cross from the left dropped agonisingly wide of the far post.

Clement does not yet know how long Hanson and Hendrick might be out, if at all, but he was already working on deals to bolster his options in the middle of the park.

Chris Martin stretched to reach a Stephen Warnock cross but his header lacked control and looped harmlessly over the crossbar. The home side had to make two first half changes with Jamie Hanson and Hendrick both coming off injured. Ince had the last chance of the half when his freekick from just outside the area was pushed out by Konstantopoulos to keep the visitors ahead going into halftime.

“No (I won’t say anything) because everybody was speaking a lot about our link with Jordan Rhodes without doing nothing, and everyone thought we spent £12million”.

“Yes, I think it’s a very good point”, said Karanka.

“The players were a little bit deflated in the dressing room after Tuesday’s draw with Middlesbrough”, said the head coach.

“We have to learn when we are tired, we have to concentrate more”.

Middlesbrough occasionally looked a threat on the break and Carson had to help a shot from Kike over the crossbar on the hour mark. “But I’m pleased with the attitude as it was very difficult”.