Chapter 23: Middlesbrough vs Derby county
The Riverside Stadium buzzed with anticipation as the teams lined up on the pitch. Middlesbrough's starting XI exuded confidence, with Aynsley Pears in goal and a back three of Jonathan Howson, Paddy McNair, and Dael Fry. Djed Spence and Hayden Coulson hugged the flanks, while Lewis Wing and George Saville formed the midfield engine. Ahead of them, Marcus Tavernier and Patrick Roberts supported Ashley Fletcher, the lone striker, in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Derby County, under the watchful eye of player-coach Wayne Rooney, countered with a 4-2-3-1 setup. The backline consisted of Nathan Byrne, Curtis Davies, Matthew Clarke, and Lee Buchanan, shielding Ben Hamer in goal. In midfield, Max Bird and Jason Knight provided the defensive cover, while David, playing on the right wing, joined Duane Holmes and Martyn Waghorn in attack, with Tom Lawrence leading the line.
From the opening whistle, the match was slow. Both teams probed cautiously, neither willing to take risks. The commentators filled the void with analysis, but the fans' impatience grew.
David roamed the right flank, his touches sparking brief moments of excitement. His footwork was as mesmerizing as ever, but Middlesbrough's disciplined defense kept him from causing any real damage.
The breakthrough came in the 16th minute. Marcus Tavernier collected the ball near midfield and turned on the jets. His speed was electrifying, weaving past two Derby players as if they weren't there. The crowd roared as he reached the edge of the box. With a simple, precise pass, he found Lewis Wing unmarked in the center.
Wing struck with confidence, his shot low and true, beating Hamer to find the bottom corner.
The Middlesbrough fans erupted, their cheers echoing across the stadium as Wing raced to the stands, arms outstretched.
Derby's players gathered near the center circle, visibly frustrated. David adjusted his armband, his lips pressed into a thin line. Wayne Rooney clapped his hands from the sidelines, urging his team to refocus.
The goal seemed to ignite something in Derby. David, in particular, began to shine. He took on defenders with ease, his quick feet and sharp turns leaving them chasing shadows. In one moment of brilliance, he darted past two players, cutting inside to deliver a cross that Waghorn narrowly missed.
"David's got the magic," one commentator said. "But where's the finishing touch from Derby?"
As the game wore on, frustration boiled over. Martyn Waghorn earned a yellow card for a rash challenge, and minutes later, Matthew Clarke joined him in the referee's book for a clumsy tackle. Despite Derby's growing momentum, Middlesbrough held firm, taking their 1-0 lead into halftime.
In the locker room, Wayne Rooney stood before his players, his voice steady and commanding. "We're playing well," he said, his eyes scanning the room. "The goal will come. Stay calm, stay focused, and keep pushing."
David, sitting on the edge of the bench, couldn't hold back his enthusiasm. "Yes! I'm going to score, guys. Let's go!"
Laughter rippled through the room. Rooney smirked, shaking his head. "Just don't forget to pass, David."
The second half began with Derby on the attack. David, ever the live wire, tore down the right flank, cutting inside to fire a curling shot that sailed just wide. Moments later, Waghorn's header from a corner missed the target by inches.
Then, in the 54th minute, David produced a moment of brilliance. Picking up the ball near the touchline, he danced past two Middlesbrough defenders with a deft combination of stepovers and feints. His low drive from the edge of the box beat Pears but crashed off the crossbar.
The rebound fell to Jason Knight, who reacted quickest, smashing the ball into the net.
Derby's players celebrated wildly as the scoreboard read 1-1. David jogged back to his position, determination etched across his face.
The game turned physical as both teams battled for control. In the 65th minute, Curtis Davies clipped Ashley Fletcher in the box, conceding a penalty. The Derby players surrounded the referee in protest, with David leading the charge.
Wayne Rooney intervened, pulling his players away before tempers flared further.
Paddy McNair stepped up to take the penalty. His strike was clinical, curling into the bottom-right corner. Hamer dived the wrong way.
Middlesbrough led 2-1.
David clenched his fists, his frustration mounting. But he didn't relent. He continued to torment Middlesbrough's defense, completing six successful dribbles and creating chance after chance. In the 79th minute, Hayden Coulson brought him down with a reckless challenge, earning a yellow card.
"The kid's been relentless," one commentator remarked. "But you have to wonder—does Rooney plan to rest him? He's been going full throttle for 90 minutes."
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Middlesbrough made a substitution, clearly trying to run down the clock. David's patience finally snapped as he confronted the referee, only to be waved away with a warning.
With one last attack, Derby pushed forward. Chris Martin passed the ball to David on the right flank. Surrounded by defenders, David paused, scanning the crowded box. Then, with a burst of energy, he drove toward the goal line.
As a defender lunged to clear, David struck the ball with the outside of his foot. The shot seemed destined to sail wide, but Duane Holmes emerged from nowhere, stretching to redirect it into the net.
The stadium erupted.
"What was that?!" the commentator shouted. "Did you see that assist? And that finish!"
Derby players mobbed Holmes as the scoreboard flashed 2-2.
The final whistle blew moments later.
David stood on the pitch, staring at the score line. For the first time in his professional career, he hadn't won.
He hated the feeling.
As he walked off the field, his mind was already racing. This couldn't happen again.
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