DERBY COUNTY v NOTTINGHAM FOREST @ IPRO STADIUM on FEBRUARY 4 2015
Promotion chasing Derby County and Nottingham Forest met at the Ipro Stadium last night for another feisty East Midlands derby that always produces a hard fought match with meaty challenges and plenty of determination from both sides. Last night's match was not just a local derby. With both sides chasing a place in the top flight next season their would be no shrinking violets on either the park or in the stands. Forest had won the meeting at the City Ground earlier in the season by 2-1, bringing an end to Derby's 13 match unbeaten start to the season so revenge was definitely in the minds of the Derby faithful although the players and manager Gordon Kinnear insisted this was just another game. While Forest's promotion bid would have to go via the lottery of the play offs, Derby were still in with a chance of automatic promotion, sitting just 2 points behind second placed Leeds United.
Kinnear was without influential midfield duo Craig Bryson and Stefan Johansen with Bryson's goal scoring prowess certain to be missed. Bryson is Derby's top scorer with 17 goals from midfield, which is a startling contribution while Johansen has controlled the midfield in many a game and has also chipped in with 5 goals. This left Kinnear with the problem of patching up the midfield and he decided to move Santos Goncalo, who has been playing at centre back, up to play beside new boy Jose Recio, the 4.6m signing from Malaga, in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Forest boss Michael Hudson opted for the ever popular 3-5-2 featuring the dangerous Ibisevic up front and the underrated Henry Lansbury in midfield.
A 33,562 crowd had filled the Ipro and the ring of stewards and police proved how volatile this fixture can be. Forest kicked off as the noise reached deafening levels and the match was underway. A quiet start seen neither side able to exert any pressure on the opposing defence but the tackles were already flying in as both sides fought to get on top. With 9 minutes on the clock, Derby's captain Tomkins tussled with Nani with the referee blowing for a free kick to Forest. Tomkins was unhappy at the decision and he let the ref know in no uncertain terms. The referee's response was to show the first yellow card of the game which was greeted with a chorus of boos and whistles from the home crowd. The first chance of the game came for Derby on 12 minutes. The ball was played wide to Smolov and the Russian raced down the left before sending in a deep cross that was met by the head of Rodriguez. His header was heading towards the top corner but Handanovic leapt to his right and not only saved it but held onto the ball. This seemed to spark the game into life and Forest responded with a swift move that seen Kevin Wilson striding forward before a diagonal pass into the Derby box found Assombalonga who controlled the ball well before making space for the shot. Unfortunately the accuracy wasn't there and the ball went wide for a goal kick to the Rams. Felgueiras took the kick but it fell straight to Forest allowing them to set up another foray forward. Matt Jarvis got a hold of the ball and, under pressure, he managed to send it into the centre of the box. Lansbury stole a yard on Dann to power a header towards goal that stung the fingers of Felgueiras as he turned the ball away to safety. Forest were growing in stature but Derby responded in perfect fashion. On 18 minutes Forest were again pushing forward through Goulart who tried to play it wide to Nani but his pass was weak and Dann intercepted before quickly sending a long ball towards Bobadilla. It was a superb pass and Bobadilla used his pace to leave the Forest defenders in his trail before rolling the ball past the advancing Handanovic into the empty net.
Derby take the lead
The stands erupted as Bobadilla turned to celebrate the opening goal. The Argentine striker has been a revelation since he came to Derby and that was his 8th strike in 11 games. The stadium was rocking as Forest restarted the game. Andy Reid picked it up for Forest in the midfield and played it forward to Ibisevic. The striker carried the ball forward under the attention of Tshimanga before firing in a low shot that Felgueiras deflected away before it was cleared by Sorensen. Derby may have been 1-0 up but they knew that Forest were carrying a threat in attack. with 22 minutes played Derby set up an attack. Rodriguez took the ball down the right and spotted Tomkins on the overlap. He played the ball to the Derby captain and he elected to try and curl one towards the top corner but it sailed high over the crossbar much to the annoyance of Bobadilla who expected the cross. This was a good spell for Derby and on 25 minutes Goncalo found Bobadilla with a pass along the floor. Bobadilla took one stride forward before unleashing a shot that cracked against the woodwork before going over with Handanovic looking on. There was no doubt that Bobadilla was proving a handful for the Forest defence and Hudson was out in the technical area barking instructions to his back 3. Derby looked to be in control and the game toned down with both teams seemingly taking a breather. The next chance didn't arrive until the 37th minute when a high ball onto the edge of the Derby box was neatly chested down by Ibisevic towards Goulart. The Brazilian used his strength to hold off a couple of challenges before getting in a shot that was heading just inside the post until Felgueiras just managed to get a hand to it. It was a close call and a reminder for Derby that there was still a lot of work to be done. Again the Rams were having the better of the possession but they were finding it hard to set up an attack. The referee blew for half time and the teams and coaching staff headed for the dressing room.
HALF TIME: DERBY COUNTY 1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0
As the teams came out for the second half neither manager had made any changes to their line up. Derby kicked off as the noise level increased once more. The news from Elland Road was that Leeds were 0-0 at half time in their match with Middlesbrough so Derby were on course to take over that second automatic promotion spot. Forest, of course, were more concentrated on finding an equaliser and they came close just 2 minutes into the second half. Again a high ball to the edge of the penalty area caused the Derby defence problems with Assombalonga being allowed to chest the ball back to Goulart. The midfielder struck the ball first time and his low shot was just tipped onto the inside of the post by Felgueiras before it kindly fell back into the keepers arms. It was the closest Forest had came and Derby were surviving by the skin of their teeth. The Rams tried to slow the pace down and take the sting out of the game. A tactic that was working quite well as they passed the ball about, frustrating Forest. That frustration was evident when on 54min Jarvis was yellow carded for pulling the shirt of Smolov as he tried to get away from him. The game had been hard but fair and although this was the second yellow, neither had been for a bad tackle. Derby's tactics were working well but all of a sudden Recio sent a high ball towards Bobadilla on 57 minutes. Bobadilla brought it down before a sublime piece of skill foxed the defender and gave him time to lay the ball off to the onrushing Smolov. The Russian advanced into the box before hitting the ball, with what seemed like the outside of his boot, past Handanovic and just inside the post to put Derby 2-0 ahead.
Smolov is smothered by the Derby players
Once again the crowd erupted into a wall of noise as the Derby players all but smothered poor Smolov. The Forest players looked stunned and boss Hudson sat in the dug out only being able to watch Kinnear and his backroom staff celebrate. It seemed a bit harsh on Forest who had taken the game to Derby but just couldn't take their chances. On the hour mark the game took another twist. As Reid moved forward, his quick feet caught out Tomkins as he made the tackle. Reid hit the turf and the expected free kick was awarded. What wasn't expected was the referee pulling out the yellow card for Tomkins quickly followed by the red. Tomkins stood in disbelief as the Derby players surrounded the referee. The challenge did seem innocuous but the ref had made his mind up and Derby were down to ten men. This should have spurred on Forest to all out attack but it was Derby who were handling the ten men handicap better. On 62min Goncalo tried a shot from all off 27 yards that went wide and five minutes later Rincon seemed to be getting free on the right before being chopped down by Schulz. Surely a yellow for the Forest man but the card incredibly stayed in the referees pocket. Chants of 'you don't know what you're doing' could clearly be heard from the stands. The free kick was about 20 yards from goal and a bit to the right of centre. Rodriguez stepped up and fired it low past the Forest wall. Handanovic dived to his right but despite getting his hand to the ball he couldn't keep it out and Derby, with 10 men, were 3-0 ahead. Again the players fell in a pile celebrating the goal that surely put the game beyond Forest. Kinnear was out his dug out with hands in the air. The news from Leeds was that they were trailing 2-1 and Derby were heading for second place in the table.
A dejected looking Forest side restarted the match but they looked a beaten side. On 71min the ref gave a foul against a surprised looking Lansbury. He must also have said something as the referee flashed the yellow in his direction. This brought a sarcastic applause from the Derby fans who were still seething at the Tomkins dismissal. Forest tried to make the extra man count and it did look as though Derby were starting to tire and they were content to defend the 3 goal lead. With 15 minutes to go Lansbury spotted a run by Ibisevic and played a perfect pass through. Ibisevic fired one towards the goal that beat Felgueiras and bulged the net. He turned to celebrate only to see the linesmans flag being held aloft. It just wasn't Forest's day as the cheers came from the Derby fans.
Hudson giving the linesman a Stuart Pearce-like stare
Derby played the ball around the back, inviting Forest to come and get it. The fans were giving it 'Ole' every time a pass was successful while the Forest fans sat with a glum look but hoping for a miracle. The game had lost it's energy and Derby looked very comfortable just awaiting the final shrill of the referees whistle. With time running out Forest launched one more attack. A ball played to Ibisevic on the edge of the box was controlled and shielded well before laying it off to Lansbury. The midfield ace took one touch before powering his shot into the top corner of the Derby net with Felgeuiras grasping at thin air. It was a quiet celebration from the Forest players with handshakes being the main feature. The Forest end of the ground was already half empty but the fans that stayed still, and always will, enjoyed the goal against their greatest rivals. Derby restarted and the referee blew his whistle for full time a minute later. News came in that Leeds had lost 3-2 and Derby were now lying second, 6 points behind leaders Blackburn. The teams made their way off the field as Kinnear and Hudson shook hands. It was sweet revenge for Derby against the team that had halted their unbeaten start to the season and it was going to be a night of celebration in the town for the Derby fans.
FULL TIME: DERBY COUNTY 3 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1
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