Carlton Morris has urged Derby County to take the positives and grow after their disappointing defeat to Stoke City on the opening weekend of the Sky Bet Championship season. The Rams left the bet365 Stadium pointless on Saturday afternoon after goals from Lewis Baker, Divin Mubamba and Sorba Thomas rounded out a 3-1 win for the Potters.

Derby County pundit Shaun Barker admitted he thought his old side were in for a really tough afternoon after watching Stoke City race out of the traps on Saturday.

Derby County’s opening game of the Sky Bet Championship season ended in defeat following two late Stoke City goals at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Bet365 Stadium will be the stage on Saturday afternoon as Stoke City begin their 2025-26 Championship campaign against Derby County. Both clubs endured challenging seasons last year, finishing just a point and a place apart in 18th and 19th respectively.

Stoke have won three of their last four opening day fixtures (L1), with each of those victories in that time coming on home soil. Derby have lost their opening league game in the last two seasons, last having a longer run of defeats on MD1 between 1980 and 1984 (5).

Stoke City opened up their Championship account at the first opportunity with a well deserved opening day victory over Derby County thanks to a stunning late flourish. The Potters fell behind on the hour mark after Carlton Morris had netted on his debut for the Rams,