Derby 2-2 West Brom match report: The Daily Mirror verdict

Simon Cox has an unlikely ally after his alleged handballed goal for West Bromwich Albion – Derby captain Robbie Savage.

Cox appeared to use his hand to guide in a cross from Chris Brunt to level the scores to 1-1 at Pride Park. The game ended 2-2 after goals from both sides during injury time.

But while Derby manager Nigel Clough was angry Cox's goal was allowed to stand, Savage admitted he would score the same goal if he could.

“People go on about handball for the goal but listen, I'd do the same,” Savage said. “We'd all do the same. It's up to the official to spot it if is. If he has, he's got away with it, fair play.

“I'm not going to stand here and say Coxy's handballed it because I'd do exactly the same thing.”

Derby has strong form at home – they now have earned 19 of their 21 points at Pride Park – and were determined to take their game to one of the league's strongest teams.

“We feel our form here has been really good,” said Savage. “We didn't let them play. We were the better team. Anybody at the game must admit that. We got done with a sucker punch really.”

Paul Dickov gave Derby a first-half goal and a dramatic four minutes of injury time followed Cox's equaliser.

Graham Dorrans thought he had scored the winner for the Baggies only for DJ Campbell to level on his loan debut at Derby.

Savage said his side was good enough at home to challenge West Brom, who are now four points off leader Newcastle after their four-game winning streak was halted.

“Paul Dickov started it and everybody followed from behind,” Savage said. “If we play like that, we're definitely a top half team.”

Savage said the only way Derby would climb up from their 17th position was to finally win away from home. The Rams play at mid-table rival Preston on Tuesday.

“We need to approach every game now like we did (against West Brom),” Savage said. “We've set a standard for ourselves today against one of the top clubs in the league and we've got to keep that up.”

Derby was perhaps inspired by the last time the two sides met – when the Rams upset the favoured Albion to win the 2007 playoff final.

West Brom defender Jonas Olsson, who joined the club in August 2008, said the club had moved on since then.

“We knew the last time we played them was that game,” Olsson said. “Of course that's in your mind but it's a new team now and a new season.”

Olsson was frustrated at his side's late defense lapse after they had clawed their way back into the game.

“We came here with respect because we know it was a good team but I think we have enough quality to win,” Olsson said.

“We showed that over 92 minutes and we should have shown it over 93 and we would have got away with three points. We let them back in and we only have ourselves to blame.

“Now we just have to focus on the game on Tuesday (at home to Cardiff) and try to set the record straight there.”