Derby County 1-0 Middlesbrough: Boro fall to third in Sky Bet Championship with Derby defeat

Middlesbrough lost their second game in a row and dropped to third, following a 1-0 defeat against Derby County at Pride Park on New Year’s Day.

Despite Boro’s dominance, Bobby Clark’s second-half strike proved enough to earn Derby three points.

Beaten in Derby. pic.twitter.com/wPTU9NVSJl

— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) January 1, 2026

Although Hellberg’s side headed into the New Year on the back of three games without a win, they began the match on top and almost went ahead, when Hayden Hackney’s shot was well saved by Jacob Zetterstrom.

Boro continued to look a threat, as Callum Brittain’s cross picked out Tommy Conway at the back post, but his first-time volley was straight at the keeper.

Derby saw a rare chance at goal, when Callum Elder’s whipped free-kick tested Sol Brynn, who was down quickly to divert it wide.

In the second half, the hosts had another great chance to take the lead, when a quick counter-attack found Patrick Agyemang in space, but Brynn was out quickly to narrow the angle and saved the striker’s effort smartly.

After numerous Boro shots, Derby took the lead in the 70th minute, when Elder fizzed a ball into the feet of Clark Salvesen, whose touch fell to Clark, who skipped past Matt Targett and slotted it past Brynn.

Despite Boro hounding at the door, they failed to find a clinical pass or shot to truly test Zetterstrom and Derby held on for a valuable three points.

Hellberg’s side will aim to respond when they face fellow promotion-chasing Southampton on January 3rd.