| Saturday 5th December |
Derby County |
(1) 2 |
Albion |
(0) 2 |
|
| Attendance: |
30,127 |
Dickov 41 |
Cox 82 |
||
| Albion: Carson; Zuiverloon, Meite,
Olsson, Mattock (Teixeira 57); Brunt, Dorrans, Jara, Cech; Cox, Moore (Bednar
68) Subs (not used): Kiely, Martis, Samuels, Reid, Mulumbu |
||
| Booked: Dorrans | Referee: Darren Deadman |
Reporter: Haydn Thompson |
Some Derby fans were more bitter than others after this game. But none of them were happy. Our first goal was handball, the second was offside, and Dorrans should have been sent off for taking exception to Robbie Savage's two-footed tackle.
Let's take the last of those three points first. It wasn't as if this was the only time Savage fouled Dorrans. In fact it was one of countless times; but it was probably the worst example. Savage's mission was clearly to stop Dorrans playing, and his secondary objective was make sure that all the refereeing decisions went Derby's way. It wasn't his fault that the referee was too weak to stand up to him. Equally, it wasn't entirely Dorrans' fault that he felt the need to take matters into his own hands, as he was getting precious little protection from the ref.
Paul Dickov was very quick to square up to Dorrans as he reacted to Savage's tackle, and he got booked along with Dorrans for his pains. Savage's reaction was so extreme (head in hands, look of outraged shock) that I thought the card was going to be red. A red for Dickov would have been over the top, but I've seen them given for tackles less dangerous than Savage's.
This was typical of Derby's approach to this game, which was first and foremost to stop Albion playing. To give them their due, they were quite successful in this aim; equally, for the most part, Albion responded well to their bullying. But how sad to see a club with Derby's heritage resorting to such tactics.
The Manchester Baggies contingent had enjoyed a pleasant lunch in the Brunswick - one of our favourite awayday pubs - not to mention a quick one in Sheffield as we changed trains. Albion made one forced change for the match, Jerome Thomas having picked up an injury in training the previous day. His absence allowed Marek Cech to keep his place as Joe Mattock returned after injury; and it emphasised how important Thomas is to the Albion side, which showed a worrying lack of width in this match.
There were chances for both sides in the first half, and five minutes before half time Carson made a superb save from Gary Teale's free kick, diving low to his right to palm the ball over the bar. But it was virtually from the resultant corner that Derby took the lead as Dickov burst into the penalty area. His shot took a cruel deflection, giving Carson no chance, and ricocheted off the underside of the bar to bounce down over the line.
Second halfAlbion began to take control in the second half, but it wasn't until eight minutes from time that we forced an equaliser. A cross from Chris Brunt found Simon Cox in the danger area, and Albion's most consistent striker bundled it over the line. There were strong protests from the home side, but I have to say that I had a great view - and to me it looked as though he used his chest. TV replays were inconclusive; but you can take it from me that if any Derby fan tells you it was handball, it's wishful thinking. There is no way that anyone - and this includes the Derby players, who were all behind Cox - could definitely say that it was handball. Maybe they were hoping to take advantage of the furore that arose from the Thierry Henry incident - but the comparison is ridiculous.
Fortunately for Albion, the linesman (who had one of the best views) was satisfied and the goal was allowed despite the forceful and lengthy protests.
It was a disastrous goal for Derby to concede, having led for half of the game, but worse was to come for them in the third minute of injury time. Gonzalo Jara dispossessed former Bluenose DJ Campbell just outside the Derby penalty area, on Albion 's right, and crossed to Dorrans who burst through and blasted a shot past the helpless Bywater.
Offside? Well if the Cox handball was wishful thinking, this was clutching at straws. Chris Brunt was offside when Jara crossed to Dorrans - but he was not interfering with play. Dorrans was onside - end of story.
You could see why the Derby fans might be upset however, as it was a lead that Albion didn't deserve - but there were no complaints from the 3,000-strong away following. It had been an amazing turnaround.
It wasn't over yet though. The clock showed that Albion held the lead for two minutes - but it didn't seem like that long. Derby equalised almost straight from the kick-off. The ball was played wide right, and the cross found Campbell in the box, who forced it home.
A neutral would probably say that it was the least Derby deserved. On the run of play you couldn't really argue, but having said that, there was only one side trying to play football at Pride Park on this occasion - and it wasn't Derby. Albion were entitled to come away with their heads held high; and if Derby County intend to continue employing Robbie Savage, and to achieve results by bullying the opposition and the officials, then I suggest they consider changing the name of their stadium.
The bad attitude isn't restricted to the field of play, either. Anthony and Chris were sat right next to the home fans, and reported that the atmosphere was as hostile as they can remember at any ground - including the Molineux.
Is there any ongoing tension between Albion and Derby? I don't think there is from our point of view, but looking back over recent years it does seem that maybe Derby have issues. I wonder what it is they've got against us ... anyone got any ideas?