The Rams tied up their festive fixtures in a big bow when they performed a hit and run on the Tigers. Derby’s return to form has not only arrested their recent slide but once again puts them in touch with the play-off positions.

Hull City 0 vs. 1 Derby County

Kingston Communications Stadium

Monday January 2nd

P. Gibbs

Crowd:

20,704

The Teams:

The Tigers:

Basso, Rosenior, Dawson, McKenna (Cairney 77’), Chester, Hobbs, Stewart, Evans, McLean (Brady 61’), Koren, Fryatt.

Unused Substitutes: Dudgeon, Garcia, Cooper.

Yellow Cards: Chester

The Rams:

Fielding, Brayford, Barker, Shackell, Roberts, Green, Bailey, Bryson, Ward (Buxton 90’), Ball (B Davies 66’), Robinson (Priskin 82’).

Unused Substitutes: Legzdins, Doyle.

Yellow Cards: Ward, Bailey, Shackell

Goals: Robinson (46’)

Match Stats: Tigers - Rams

Possession: 56% - 44%

Attempts On Target: 13 – 3

Attempts Off Target: 3 - 1

Corners: 11 – 0

Fouls: 14 - 8

Most Fouls: Fryatt (3) - Ball (2)

Match Report:

Nigel Clough made one change to his Rams side that had won on both Boxing and New Years Day with Theo Robinson replacing the injured Nathan Tyson in attack.

The Tigers were dominant from the opening whistle as they looked to put an end to their horror run over the festive period.

Robert Koren had a good chance saved by Frank Fielding while Matty Fryatt launched an effort that was well blocked by defender John Brayford.

James Chester only just missed the target when he headed over the bar and Fryatt was denied a second time when Shaun Barker used his body well to deflect the strikers powerful drive.

The Rams had been struggling to get a hold on the match but Jamie Ward had been working hard to get his team into the game with some good attacking runs and crosses that resulted in little result.

Frank Fielding has been in stunning forms over the holiday period and he once again produced another world class save just after the half hour mark when Jack Hobbs fired a volley that although dipping could not beat the Rams keeper.

Just when you thought Fielding’s highlight reel had more than enough footage he stepped up to produce what could be one of his best when he instinctively dived low to deny the dangerous Fryatt's 12 yard effort.

Things remained all square at half time and despite their best efforts the Tigers had not been able to penetrate a Rams team who were determined to do whatever required to keep a clean sheet.

In the first minute of the second half James Bailey got free and managed to get a cross from the left which found its way through to Theo Robinson who used his pace to get clear and curl a quality shot past the Tigers keeper.

The goal seemed to flatten the home team who had nothing to show for their dominance and in turn the Rams came to life as they searched to double their lead.

Jamie Ward continued to be lively and after the Rams won a free-kick he produced a well taken free-kick that Hull keeper Basso managed to hold.

Paul Green tried to make it two goals in two games when he shot just wide with a curling effort from the right of the area.

Hull had slowly picked themselves up and were looking to retaliate when Andy Dawson headed over the crossbar and Koren let loose with a long-range shot that Fielding easily saved.

The momentum shift started to swing back the way of the Tigers as they pushed forward regularly. Brady was denied by a Jason Shackell block while Fryatt continued his work in vein as his header was saved by his nemesis Fielding.

Koren took it upon himself to beat the Rams keeper when he launched from outside the area but Fielding was not going to be beaten now and once again saved the day.

The Rams held on and completed their 3rd consecutive win by fighting tooth and nail till the death.

The contrasting fortunes of the two teams was at total opposite when the final whistle blew as the Tigers had lost all three fixtures, not scoring a single goal in over 270 minutes.

With a two week break in the League the Rams are one win outside the top six with a clash against bottom placed Coventry to come.

Rams fans have been buoyed by their teams sterling efforts over Christmas and will be hoping that it is in fact a sign of things to come and not – as in season’s past- another false dawn.

Coaches Reaction:

First Team Coach Johnny Metgod was over the moon with his team:

"The players have given us absolutely everything in the last three games and it's a great feeling to have won them all. We've had a great Christmas and there's no better feeling than looking at our last three results - won, won and won."

"Today we had spells where we had to defend, but the players have shown they can dig in and grind out a result - and to do it away from home is a huge bonus."

"As good as it is to play nice, pretty football you need to sometimes grind it out - and today we did that. They're (the players) a team, and that stands out above anything else and I think that today we've taken a big step towards understanding what it takes to win a game like this."

"We didn't play brilliantly, I think we gave the ball away quite a lot in fact, but the players gave us everything once again and defended as a team."

"Chances were few and far between for both sides in the first half and after we got our goal we, understandably, had some defending to do but I thought we did it very well. We were under a bit of pressure but every single player ran their socks off and when you have players committed to the cause like that, it gives you a lot of hope."

"That team ethic has been vital and long may it continue. It's great the players are getting their rewards now because a few weeks ago we weren't doing too much wrong but losing, so let's hope that was all part of the learning process."

Captain's Reaction:

Shaun Barker was feeling festive after his team's holiday success:

"Let's be honest, not many people expected us to get three wins from three over Christmas. I think we've surprised a few people, but we've got to do that if we're going to challenge in the top ten this season and we've set ourselves up well for the second half of the season."

"We have to perform, and win, against the better sides and I think we've proved a point in the last three games. Now we're seeing the likes of myself, Paul Green and James Bailey back to full fitness, as well as the emergence of Callum Ball and the return or Nathan Tyson, and it's having a real impact."

"It also highlights we have strength in depth, although it may not be obvious on the eye because of the youngsters we have in the squad. I always fancied us in the home games against Leeds and West Ham because when we're on it, we're a side to be feared at Pride Park."

"Away at Hull, who had won three on the spin at home, was always going to be tough. It was a backs-to-the-wall performance for long spells, but sometimes you have to do that away from home in order to get a result and to get another clean sheet is a massive confidence boost for everyone."

"We had to dig deep and we got it spot on tactically by playing five in midfield. It worked to our advantage and while we had quite a bit of defending to do, Frank wasn't tested too much."

"It's another fantastic three points for us and it's capped off a great Christmas. The boys have worked their socks off and after the run where we were playing well and not getting the results, it's great we're now being rewarded with these wins."

Next Match:

Derby County vs. Crystal Palace

FA Cup 3rd Round

3pm - Saturday January 7th

Photo: Action Images

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