Hayen dismisses Burnley substitution impact on Derby draw

Derby County manager Nicky Hayen dismissed the idea that a late Burnley substitution was responsible for his team's stoppage-time equaliser. The Rams fought back to earn a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor on Saturday, a result that leaves them 22nd in the Championship with five points from eight games.

Zeki Amdouni had given Burnley a first-half lead with a header in the 34th minute. Derby pushed hard in the closing stages and were rewarded when Mo Fuseini found space on the right flank and fired home in the third minute of added time. The goal cancelled out Burnley's advantage and denied the hosts their first win of the season.

After the match, Hayen was asked if a late defensive change by Burnley had created the opening for Fuseini's goal. "No, I don't think so," the manager said. He explained that his own tactical instructions in the final minutes were to play more compactly and avoid unnecessary risks.

Hayen broke down the sequence that led to the equaliser. "It's a long ball, we lose the duel up front, we lose the second ball in the midfield," he stated, describing a chain of events that ended with Fuseini finishing past the goalkeeper. The manager made his own late switch, bringing on Oliver Sonne for Lucas Pires in the 89th minute.

The point is a small positive in a difficult start to the campaign. Derby's recent form shows one win, one draw and three losses in their last five matches. They have scored seven goals but conceded 14, giving them a goal difference of minus seven.

Several key players remain unavailable, with Craig Forsyth, Derry Murkin and Jacob Widell Zetterström all currently sidelined. The squad will now prepare for their next challenge, a home fixture against 14th-placed Wrexham.

Background and full detail: Burnley Express