Derby County fans will love what Ebou Adams did at Portsmouth on Monday night | OneFootball

Portsmouth midfielder Ebou Adams applauded Derby County fans despite his side's defeat to his former club

Derby County grabbed all three points from Monday night's trip to Fratton Park, defeating Portsmouth 1-0 courtesy of Sammie Szmodics' early strike.

John Eustace's side strengthened their play-off ambitions with a crucial away win over struggling Portsmouth, with the Rams having now won four out of their last three league games to put themselves well within contention.

In a game which was devoid of much quality throughout, it was Szmodics' goal in the 8th minute that gave all three points to the away side.

Portsmouth can count themselves unlucky not to take anything from the game, as Richard O'Donnell was kept busy throughout the game, but as has been the story for most of the season for Pompey, they failed to make their chances count.

As Portsmouth have failed to capitalise on one of their games in hand, plunging them further into danger, Derby go just three points off the top six with just eight games remaining.

Following the full-time whistle, former fan favourite Ebou Adams was recorded doing something that Rams fans will surely love.

Ebou Adams applauds Derby County fans despite Portsmouth's defeat

Having spent the bulk of his career playing in the lower reaches of English football, Gambian midfielder Adams came to prominence with Forest Green Rovers in League Two, earning a move to then Championship side Cardiff City in the summer of 2022.

He'd struggle for game time in the Welsh capital, and subsequently headed out on loan to Derby County the following January, where he very quickly became a fan favourite, playing a big role in their promotion back to the second tier under Paul Warne.

Adams continued to be an ever-present for the Rams after signing permanently in the summer of 2023, and would go on to make 89 league appearances for the club before signing for Portsmouth for £500k in January 2026 after falling out of favour at Pride Park.

However, despite his departure, Adams is still remembered fondly from his time at the club, as Rams supporters were quick to applaud and chant the 30-year-old's name following their victory at Fratton Park.

Though his allegiance is now to Portsmouth, Adams made sure to applaud the travelling away fans as well as the home fans, with both player and supporters still sharing a good relationship.

In the video, Adams can be seen greeting his former teammates before applauding the Derby supporters, acknowledging their chant towards him.

Of course, Adams will have almost certainly preferred to claim the three points from his former side, but it wasn't meant to be for the Gambian, who will no doubt play a huge part in John Mousinho's plans at Pompey between now and the end of the season as Portsmouth eye survival.

Ebou Adams is fondly remembered for his time with Derby County despite falling out of favour under John Eustace

Despite leaving during the January window, Adams remains a popular figure at Pride Park.

His performances in the middle of the field were pivotal in guiding the Rams back to the Championship in 2024 and sustaining their place in the second tier in 2025.

The arrivals of the likes of Lewis Travis, Bobby Clark, Oscar Fraulo, and David Ozoh saw Adams' game time limited in the first half of the season, with the growing consensus that he and Travis could not play as the midfield two together.

With Travis clearly ahead of him in the pecking order, Eustace decided to part ways with the 30-year-old in the winter, in what was an unpopular decision given his status at the club.

However, if Derby go on and claim one of the top six places this season, all will be forgiven, as the Rams have one eye on the Premier League.