A licensable editorial image from Derby County's Championship clash with Birmingham City last season has been released by Reuters. The photograph, captured by Peter Cziborra for Action Images, depicts action from the Boxing Day fixture at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on December 26, 2025, featuring Rams midfielder Liam Thompson and Birmingham forward Kyogo Furuhashi. The image, with the identifier UP1ELCQ12Z77C, is available for editorial use under specific restrictions, as reported by www.google.com.

Derby County head into their next match sitting 16th in the Championship table with one point from their opening two games. Their recent form reads DL, with three goals scored and four conceded for a -1 goal difference. Paul Warne's side currently trails league leaders Millwall by five points.

What does the image show from the 2025 match?

The released image freezes a moment from a hard-fought Championship encounter. It shows Derby County's Liam Thompson engaged in play against Birmingham City's Japanese international Kyogo Furuhashi. The match ultimately ended in a draw, a result that was typical of many of Derby's away performances during that campaign. The photograph is high-resolution, measuring 3934 by 3105 pixels with a file size of 3MB, ensuring it is suitable for professional publication.

Photographer Peter Cziborra, working for the Action Images agency, took the shot. His work is distributed globally through the Reuters network. Editorial guidelines mean the image cannot be used for commercial or promotional purposes without specific licensing agreements. This kind of visual documentation is important for historical records and media coverage of the club's season.

How does this compare to Derby's current situation?

The context for Derby County has shifted significantly since that December 2025 fixture. The team's current league standing and form are a primary focus. With just a single point on the board so far, the need for improvement is clear. Fans can track the evolving league picture on our standings page.

The Rams have conceded four goals in two matches this season. That defensive record will be a concern for the coaching staff as they prepare for the challenges ahead. Building a more resilient back line could be key to moving up the table. The team's attacking output of three goals shows promise, but consistency is required.

What is next for Derby County?

Attention now turns immediately to the next fixture. Derby County host Swansea City at Pride Park on August 29, 2026. Swansea currently occupies 9th place in the table, presenting another tough test for Warne's squad. A positive result is needed to build momentum and climb away from the lower reaches of the division.

Preparation for that match will be intensive. The full schedule of upcoming games is available on our fixtures section. Player availability and selection will be watched closely, with updates on any squad issues found on the injuries page. The match against Swansea offers a quick opportunity to respond to the slow start and gather points at home.