Football matches often get hyped up beyond belief, but when Wrexham vs Derby County kicked off at Pride Park this January, nobody expected a 34-year-old midfielder to steal the show with a 30-yard thunderbolt. Honestly, it was one of those moments that makes you remember why the Championship is basically the most unpredictable league on the planet. Wrexham, the Hollywood-backed Welsh side that everyone loves to talk about, walked into the East Midlands as underdogs and left with all three points.
It ended 2-1 to Wrexham.
If you've been following the rise of the Red Dragons under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, you know they aren't just a documentary subject anymore. They are a legitimate problem for established clubs like Derby County. This match wasn't just a fluke result; it was a tactical chess match between Phil Parkinson and John Eustace that showed exactly where both clubs stand in the 2025-26 season.
The Screamer That Silenced Pride Park
Most people expected Derby to dominate. They’re at home, they’ve got a massive history, and Pride Park is a fortress when it’s rocking with nearly 30,000 fans. But Wrexham didn't get the memo. They started fast, hitting the post through Nathan Broadhead just three minutes in.
Sam Smith eventually put Wrexham ahead after 25 minutes, but the lead didn't last. Ben Brereton Díaz, the Chilean international who’s been a revelation since joining Derby on loan, leveled it up before the break. The stadium was vibrating. It felt like the Rams would go on and crush them.
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Then, three minutes into the second half, Matty James decided to end the conversation.
He picked up the ball in a pocket of space, looked up, and unleashed a strike from 30 yards out that nearly tore the net. It was his first away goal in nearly a year. You could hear a pin drop in the home ends, while the 2,000 traveling Wrexham fans went absolutely mental. That goal didn't just win the match; it marked Wrexham's first victory at Derby since 1980. Think about that. Forty-six years of waiting.
Why Wrexham vs Derby County Matters Right Now
We need to talk about the table. After this result, both teams are kind of stuck in that strange "too good to go down, not quite ready for the Premier League" limbo. As of mid-January 2026, Wrexham sits in 10th place with 40 points, while Derby is just behind in 13th with 38 points.
It’s tight. Really tight.
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Wrexham has won four in a row now. That’s the first time in their entire history they’ve managed a streak like that in the second tier. Phil Parkinson, celebrating his 250th match in charge, has turned this squad into a resilient unit. They aren't just "the team from the TV show"; they are a group of battle-hardened pros like Arthur Okonkwo and Ben Sheaf who know how to close out a game.
Derby, on the other hand, is in a bit of a stabilization phase. John Eustace has done a decent job keeping them away from the relegation scrap that haunted them in previous years, but they lack that killer instinct. Losing at home to a promoted side—even one with Wrexham's budget—stings the Pride Park faithful.
The Tactical Breakdown: Parkinson vs. Eustace
Phil Parkinson went with a 3-1-4-2 formation that focused heavily on neutralizing Derby's width. By playing Matty James as a single pivot, he allowed George Thomason and Josh Windass to push higher up the pitch. This caused total chaos for Derby's midfield, which often found itself outnumbered.
John Eustace tried to counter this by bringing on Bobby Clark and David Ozoh in the second half, but the damage was done. Derby had plenty of possession—over 55%—but they couldn't break down the Wrexham backline led by Dominic Hyam and Max Cleworth. Wrexham basically sat back, invited the pressure, and then killed them on the counter.
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Surprising Facts and Head-to-Head History
If you look at the history of Wrexham vs Derby County, it’s surprisingly sparse. They haven't played each other much in the last few decades because they were usually two or three divisions apart.
- The 1980 Connection: Before this January, Wrexham hadn't won a league game against Derby in nearly half a century. The last time they did it, Ian Edwards scored a famous volley at the old Baseball Ground.
- Attendance Records: The crowd of 29,842 at Pride Park for this match was the largest attendance ever recorded for a game between these two clubs.
- The Brereton Díaz Factor: Ben Brereton Díaz has now scored in both fixtures against Wrexham this season, having also netted in the 1-1 draw at the STōK Cae Ras back in September 2025.
What Most People Get Wrong About Wrexham
There's this common narrative that Wrexham is just "buying the league." Honestly, that’s a bit of a lazy take. While they definitely have a higher wage bill than your average newly promoted side, their success in the Championship has been built on smart recruitment and coaching continuity.
Players like Matty James and Sam Smith weren't massive "superstar" signings in terms of global fame, but they are exactly the kind of Championship veterans you need to survive this schedule. Wrexham's ability to grind out a 2-1 win away from home is more about grit than it is about Hollywood money.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking at the remaining 20 games of the season, there are a few things to keep an eye on regarding these two teams:
- Watch Wrexham’s Away Form: They’ve now won consecutive away games at Millwall, Norwich, and Derby. They are no longer just "home birds" at the Racecourse. If they are playing a team in the bottom half away from home, the odds are likely in their favor.
- Derby’s Defensive Vulnerability: The Rams have a goal difference of only +1. They struggle to keep clean sheets against teams that play with a high press. Until Eustace fixes the transition defense, they will continue to drop points against mid-table rivals.
- The January Window: Both clubs are active. Keep an eye on Wrexham’s search for another striker to support Kieffer Moore, as Sam Smith can't carry the load alone if injuries hit. Derby needs a permanent creative midfielder to help Bobby Clark, who is only on loan.
The next time these two meet, the stakes might be even higher. If Wrexham keeps this four-game winning streak going, we might actually be talking about a playoff push. For Derby, it’s about finding consistency before they get dragged into a late-season scrap they aren't prepared for.
Next Steps for Following the Season:
- Check the updated Championship table to see if Wrexham can break into the top six before February.
- Monitor the injury report for Kieffer Moore; his presence completely changes how Wrexham interacts with Derby's physical defenders.
- Review the highlights of Matty James' goal—it’s a genuine contender for Goal of the Season and shows why experience matters in the second tier.