Middlesbrough 2-1 Derby County: Kim Hellberg marks debut with comeback win

Hellberg had taken the reins from caretaker manager Adi Viveash this week, setting sights on the Premier League but vowing not to change the team’s playing style despite a recent dip in form.

In starting with a win, and particularly in this manner having been outplayed by Derby in the first 45 minutes, he made the perfect introduction to the Boro faithful.

It was far from the perfect start for the hosts with United States international Agyemang, a £7.3m summer capture from Charlotte FC in the MLS, putting Derby ahead after just two minutes.

It was both direct and effective, with the forward latching on to a long through pass from Lars-Jorgen Salvesen and slotting home from the right side of the area for a third goal of his Rams career.

Callum Brittain went close to equalising, hammering a shot against the crossbar only for the ball to bounce down on to the goalline and away to safety, but the visitors, too, had openings to double their lead, Bobby Clark going closest when firing a cross low which Sol Brynn turned around his post.

As the second half progressed Derby increasingly tried to hold on to a victory which would have made it seven wins from eight games – form bettered only by runaway Championship leaders Coventry.

But with Boro prising and probing that grip was gradually loosened, Matt Targett rising highest at a Hayden Hackney corner to head home and level the scores.

Then Whittaker, who had gone close from a free-kick early in the second period, sent the Riverside wild when firing a speculative effort from a short corner routine through a sea of legs inside the far post.

However, Derby and their manager John Eustace may have been furious about conceding from a short corner they had ample opportunity to close down and a shot which seemed to go in in slow motion past half the Derby defence.

For Hellberg though, it was the perfect start and maintained clear water between themselves and the play-off positions.