Report | Derby County 0 Swansea City 0

Freddie Woodman’s superb first-half penalty save ensured Swansea City maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a point at Pride Park.

The on-loan keeper made an excellent stop to deny Martyn Waghorn’s spot-kick, and followed that up with a fine double save after the break.

The visitors had opportunities of their own – with Mike van der Hoorn’s free header the pick of them -  but failed to make the most of them as the game ended goalless.

But head coach Steve Cooper would have been pleased with a solid performance and a first clean sheet of the season against an ambitious Derby who are eyeing another tilt at promotion.

Cooper had made just the one change from the win over Hull, Aldo Kalulu making his debut as George Byers dropped to the bench.

Fellow new recruit Sam Surridge was among the substitutes.

The Swans forced a promising early situation as Richard Keogh was booked for hauling down Borja Baston with the forward threatening to go in on goal, but Matt Grimes curled his free-kick over the bar.

But the hosts were soon on the front foot and it took a good block from Jay Fulton to prevent Jayden Bogle’s shot from troubling Woodman.

While Derby had the better of possession and territory, it was rather a scrappy start, with neither goalkeeper meaningfully tested during the opening 20 minutes.

But the Swans wasted a great counter-attack opportunity when Nathan Dyer nipped in ahead of Tom Huddlestone and set off down the right.

The winger had Kalulu unmarked at the far post, but his final ball was well off target and gratefully gathered by Rams keeper Kelle Roos.

In the 26th minute another big chance went begging; van der Hoorn heading wastefully wide from Bersant Celina’s excellent inswinging corner.

Woodman was quickly off his line to deny Waghorn from a clever reverse pass over the top by Kieran Dowell as the game showed signs of a spark.

And the keeper further endeared himself to the travelling support as he made a superb stop to prevent Waghorn opening the scoring from the spot.

Jake Bidwell had conceded the spot-kick after being adjudged to have fouled Jayden Bogle after the full-back had easily escaped the attentions of Kalulu.

But Woodman got down low to his left to firmly palm away the resulting penalty and ensure the Swans went in level at the break, with Borja forcing a good stop from Roos at the other end in stoppage time from a lovely turn.

The Swans started the second half by working Roos again, Connor Roberts testing him with a left-footed curler from the edge of the box after cutting in from his flank.

But it was Woodman who was next called into action, making an excellent double stop. Parrying Florian Jozefzoon’s initial effort, and standing up to keep out Scott Malone’s follow-up effort.

Cooper sent on Kristoffer Peterson for Dyer just past the hour mark, with Yan Dhanda and Surridge following suit as the injured Kalulu and Borja were withdrawn.

Surridge had a half chance after nice build-up involving Mike van der Hoorn and Dhanda, but the striker’s final effort was wayward.

Derby built up a head of steam as the game entered its final 10 minutes, but they failed to work Woodman.

Waghorn got away with a poor late challenge on Joe Rodon as time ticked down, with Swans’ half-hearted shouts for a penalty being waved away after Surridge had gone down under Matt Clarke’s challenge.

But it ended goalless as the Swans picked up a hard-earned point.

Derby County: Kelle Roos, Richard Keogh (captain), Kieran Dowell, Martyn Waghorn, Tom Lawrence, Florian Jozefzoon (Jack Marriott 80), Matt Clarke, George Evans (Jamie Paterson 46), Jayden Bogle (Max Lowe 54), Tom Huddlestone, Scott Malone.

Subs not used: Ben Hamer, Graeme Shinnie, Mason Bennett, Curtis Davies.

Swansea City: Freddie Woodman; Connor Roberts, Mike van der Hoorn, Joe Rodon, Jake Bidwell; Jay Fulton, Matt Grimes (captain); Nathan Dyer (Kristoffer Peterson 62), Bersant Celina, Aldo Kalulu (Yan Dhanda 68); Borja Baston (Sam Surridge 68).

Subs not used: Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Kyle Naughton, Ben Wilmot, George Byers.

Attendance: 27,337