Sheffield Wednesday defender Dominic Iorfa on battling Wayne Rooney, coming on as a sub and Manchester City

It started out as a ripple and then grew to something altogether more notable. And it came about because Dominic Iorfa was stripped and ready to come on for the second half.

He warmed up alongside Josh Windass as Garry Monk emptied his bench of options with the Owls 3-0 down. Iorfa replaced the below-par Tom Lees, who Monk later accused of “not responding the way he’d expect” from a mistake leading to Derby’s second goal on 24 minutes.

The big defender, until recent weeks a picture of consistency at the heart of Wednesday’s defence, went on to produce a performance that improved his side immeasurably, his pace and athleticism slowing Derby’s threat on the break to a canter.

In 45 minutes he completed 17 of his 18 passes, 10 of those in the middle third of the pitch, completed all three of his tackle attempts, produced an important interception and won 100 per cent of his aerial duels.

If a point was to be made to his manager, who started the 24-year-old in every one of his league games until last week’s win over Charlton, then he surely made it.

“It’s always tough coming on as a substitute,” Iorfa said. “My mindset was to give it 100 per cent and try not to concede a goal, which we didn’t.

“We just need to focus on our next game, a big game, and takes our focus away from the league. It’s a welcome distraction.

“It should be a good atmosphere against City, it will be good to play against them.”

And he made clear his respect to one Derby player on whom he made a crunching tackle late on.

Iorfa said: “Growing up, watching Wayne Rooney, he is one of the best players this country has produced.

“It was bitter-sweet. It was great to be playing against him, but I would rather have the win.”