Nigel Clough said that it was only a matter of time until his Rams tore apart a team at Pride Park. Unfortunately for Nigel it came a couple of weeks too late, as “Clough’s Curse” continued without him and returning Ram Steve McClaren took it to 10 in a row over “Dirty Leeds”.

A change of manager can have many affects and despite the team being the same, the Rams played as they have not all season at home. Some said the tactics were different and others that the players looked like they had been set free but whatever it was, Derby were a different team than they had been at home this season so far.

The Rams first 30 minutes was sublime with an amazing work rate and determination to get their first home win of the season.

Bryson in particular was the architect as he sprinted from box to box with seemingly boundless energy that lifted the team around him.

In terms of goals, first Bryson mugged former Ram Paul Green of possession to embark on a passing drill with Chris Martin who was the last of the duo with the ball as slid the ball home from close range.

Minutes later Will Hughes took his turn of mugging Leeds midfield as he stole the ball which resulted in a fabulous Chris Martin back heel that found Johnny Russell. Russell finished a brilliant move by scoring the Rams second.

Leeds pulled back a goal before half time but despite a few nervous moments did not genuinely threaten often in the second.

The Rams looked good without troubling the Leeds keeper in the second but just as home fans nerves started to fray with “The Dirty” pushing for an equaliser, Will Hughes took it on himself to go it alone with a twist, a turn and a 3rd goal.

That takes the tally of consecutive wins against “The Damned” into double figures while getting the monkey off the Rams back, in regards to being winless at Pride Park this campaign.

The largest gathering of home fans this season, were bouncing, singing and revelling during the win over their second greatest enemy as Steve McClaren got his tenure off to the best possible start.

It has been a tough week to be a Derby fan, more so for some than others but the healing process will happen far quicker if McClaren can inspire more performances like this. Winning has a way of allowing things to be forgiven (but not forgotten!).

Reporter Ryan Weston was at Pride Park for the execution of “The Dirty” and will present a full match report with player ratings, match stats, reaction and video highlights on Sunday.

Check back tomorrow for “The Weston Report” — exclusive to RamZone.

Until then enjoy that winning feeling — it feels “Damned” good!

Crowd: 26,204.

Derby : Grant (GK), Smith, Keogh, Whitbread, Forsyth, Eustace, Bryson (Buxton 89’), Hughes, Russell, Martin (Sammon , Ward (Bennett 68’).

Unused Subs: Deeney (GK), Jacobs, Davies, Freeman.

Goals: Martin 20’ , Russell 23’ , Hughes 78’.

Dirty: Kenny (GK), Peltier, Pearce, Lees, Warnock, Green (Poleon 62’), Austin, Mowatt, Tonge (Diouf 76’), McCormack, Hunt (Smith 62’).

Unused Subs: Cairns (GK), Murphy, Varney, Byram.

Goals: Pearce 45’.

Photo: Action Images

Derby County Polls