Decisive figure's nine saves carry Derby | OneFootball

Richard O'Donnell set the tone in the 29th minute with a sharp low stop, underpinning Derby County's 1-0 win at Portsmouth.

O'Donnell then smothered a drive from distance (32.), closing angles and calming the back line.

After the restart, he reacted to a close-range header with a firm parry (64.). Moments later, he dropped low to push away a skidding effort from outside the box (71.).

As Portsmouth piled on crosses, O'Donnell clawed out a downward header (89.). In the seventh minute of second half stoppage time, he tipped a rising effort over to preserve the clean sheet.

He finished with nine saves, six from attempts inside the box, plus a high claim and a punch, as Derby absorbed 27 attempts and 11 corners. The Rams relied on his positioning and handling to ride out sustained pressure.

Derby host Birmingham next in the Championship. Portsmouth visit Queens Park Rangers.