Derby headed to St James Park out of sorts and out of form. It was the last place a team looking at three straight defeats would want to find themselves but as it turned out the Rams were in a stubborn mood.

Newcastle United 0 v 0 Derby County
Coca Cola Championship
St. James Park, Newcastle
28th December 2009, 5:20pm
  

Match facts:

Attendance: 47, 505

Referee: Kevin Wright

Teams:

Newcastle:

Steve Harper, Fabricio Coloccini,Ryan Taylor,Steven Taylor, Danny Simpson, Jose Enrique, Alan Smith, Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll, Peter Lovenkrands, Jonas Gutierrez.

Substitutes: Tim Krul, Tamas Kadar, Nicky Butt, Danny Guthrie, 
Fabrice Pancrate (70), Nile Ranger (78), Shola Ameobi (65).  

Derby:

Stephen Bywater, Paul Connolly, Jay McEveley, Jake Buxton, Miles Addison, Lee Hendrie, Paul Green, Stephen Pearson, Robbie Savage, Rob Hulse, DJ Campbell.

Substitutes: Saul Deeney, Gary Teale, Ben Pringle, Jake Livermore (91), Lee Croft, Kris Commons (68), Paul Dickov. 

Match Report: 

With two horrible home performances fresh in their minds, the good run of results before that which had promised so much seemed a long time ago.

The fickle fans were again voicing their concerns and Nigel and his team were looking to restore some pride for not just themselves but for their fans.

Nigel Clough swung the changes to the team that went down to Blackpool as Mask-Eveley moved to the left replacing the suspended Moxey and a not yet fully fit Addison was forced to return to the centre of defence due to no one else being available. Paul Green was back from illness and joined Lee Hendrie replacing Teale and Croft with Rob Hulse and DJ Campbell slotting in up front.

The match started at quite a pace with both teams trying to string passes together and create some momentum. The Rams in their blue and white third strip more than matched Newcastle for the early period but let themselves down by continually giving away the ball after good passages of play.

Not a single fan would have thought that if the Rams were to get anything from their trip to Toon town it would not have to include a dose of luck and luck is what they had in abundance for much of the game.

The first such stroke of luck came when Taylor hit the cross bar with Bywater beaten. This was followed by a hatful of chances for the home side as Gutierrez, Carroll and Taylor all squandered opportunities that on another day would have been certain goals for the high flying Magpies.

The makeshift Derby defence can take some of the credit as they were desperate to make their presence felt. This unsettled the Newcastle attackers enough to ensure each chance they created was taken with a Ram breathing down their necks.

Addison was building as the first half unfolded and not only was becoming significant at centre half but also making probing runs out of defence. One such run found him teasing a ball across Newcastle’s goal that was unlucky not to find a Rams player to poke it home.

The best chance of the game for Derby came in the 25th minute as good work from Mceveley and Pearson found Hulse whose shot from only yards out was superbly blocked only yards out by Harper. Derby was finding some spirit and beginning to build now that the Toon wolf had huffed but unable to find that final puff that would let them in.

The Rams midfield was beginning to get into the game and was seemingly a good touch away from breaking the game open. But as was the way for much of the game, when the Rams began to get into proceedings Newcastle would reply with an attack.

A free kick from Nolan that was skied over Bywater reminded Derby that their opposition would continue to huff so they had better not get complacent.

Green, Pearson, Savage, Hendrie and McEveley were desperately trying to create and make things happen. The most encouraging part of their play was although wary of getting back to block holes they were not allowing it to stifle attempts to get forward.

The biggest issue that they faced was they often looked like a group of players who had not spent much time working together as a unit on match day. Miles Addison & Jay McEveley picked up yellows in quick succession as they were caught out by the pace of the Toon attack and resorted to fouling to try and temper the danger and perhaps stamp their intention on their opponents.

On 33 minutes D.J Campbell won a free kick while trying to twist and turn towards the box, after being set upon by a flock of magpies the referee shooed them away. Sadly Hendries free kick landed near the far post and rolled out as no Rams players had predicted that delivery.

Collocini had a great effort blocked with Hulse being the the blocker. Rob was doing a good job in getting back to help mop up and added this defensive foray to an earlier effort that saved the Rams going behind.

A late spell of possession, although messy had Derby holding the ball and frustrating Newcastle who looked as if they should be just allowed to boss the game. Like a dog with a chew toy that just wont let go, the Rams were determined to try and dream the impossible dream.

In the 40th minute that determination won them a corner which when whipped in was met well by Buxton but was adjudged to have fouled his opponent. Immediately Hulse was back defending again and in making a solid sliding tackle on an opponent to take the ball out, found Derby another yellow card.

The flow of cards would have incensed his father but Nigel would care little if his team managed twelve yellows but survived till half time. Paul Green surrendered a free kick to the diving, rolling Gutierrez who for most of the game seemed more concerned with falling over than trying to keep the ball whenever a player in blue and white was within a yard.

Luckily nothing came of it and Derby survived the first 45 minutes with the score line all square but more importantly perhaps they could attempt to build in the second half after withstanding the immense pressure Newcastle had heaped on them.

Here’s hoping Nigel has something inspiring to say in the sheds.

HT: 0 – 0

Derby started the second brightly, full of intent and looking to find a way through to goal. Lee Hendrie found himself in space just inside the box and perhaps when he should have pulled the trigger he instead hesitated and looked for a player running into goal.

That player was Robbie Savage who found his trigger but not the aim the effort was high and wide to the delight of the Toon army. The first ten minutes of the second half was pretty much end to end stuff as both teams attempted to find some rhythm but instead seemed more likely to find each other as possession was taken and just as easily given away.

D.J Campbell found himself in good space with Lee Hendrie for support but both again hesitated and the chance was lost as the ball was shepherded out of play by the Toon defence. It seemed Derby for all their probing and prodding were looking for a clear chance to walk the ball into the net rather than just shooting on sight.

Stephen Taylor found himself on the end of a free header in the box as the ball was lobbed in and with only yards between him and the goal; his header was straight and direct into the arms of Stephen Bywater. ‘Crazy’ grabbed hold of it like a child does to the pick of the presents on Christmas morning and looked like he had decided nothing less than a clean sheet would do today.

Alan Smith decided to test that resolve as he smacked a shot from distance shortly afterwards but Bywater got down to it easily as it lacked the power to cause him any genuine problems. Newcastle were again building and began to mug the Rams in the midfield, using their spoils to cause Derby fans hearts to flutter as it seemed only a matter of time until the Rams luck ran out.

Instead the Rams luck held firm as Newcastle managed to fluff every genuine opportunity that they created. Derby tried to capitalise on their mistakes but as they found good space and position in many of their attacks, they could not find a quality ball into either of their strikers who had been starved for much of the game.

Hulse was coming into the game and began to slip his marker and involved himself in some good passages of play. Although not troubling the scorer it was good to see him working hard to make position and beat his defender to the ball.

Newcastle were destroying Derby with their pace and ability to shut the Rams down as they tried to take their time on the ball. The likes of Pearson, Savage and Hendrie needed to find some consistency as they drifted in and out of the game. Pearson too often would make a fast break only to not chase back when the ball was turned over while Hendrie would get into good positions only to make basic errors and spoil his good work.

Carroll made way for Ameobi and with eight goals in eight games under his belt he seemed like the man that might finally unlock the gate for the Toon. Instead he was largely ineffective and the Rams managed to deal with him much better than they did the livewire Carroll.

In the 69th minute Hendrie made way for the fit again Kris Commons. Nigel Clough showed his intentions were more than just defend and surely could only be a sign that he intended to try and take all three points rather than scrap it out for a draw.

The loud and vocal brigade of Derby fans who criticise his every tactical decision and a lack of attack minded formations should take note. This decision was brave in a game that the Rams had been largely dominated, I hoped that he would be rewarded or at very least not punished.

Pancrate replaced Taylor on 70 and immediately looked dangerous but still Derby dared to try and play football against the odds and tide of the game.

Passing and running the channels but letting themselves down with that crucial final ball. Like a school boy that finds himself through on goal it was as if the Rams were overawed when they did manage to find a gap in the black and white defence. Stunned like a rabbit in a cars headlight, many a possible chance went begging when a player’s decision took just a second too long only for it to be effective.

Miles Addison had grown with every minute that passed in the game and as much as he had been awesome in his first start since September he left the best till last. His collection of last ditch headers saved his team time and time again with presence and strength he was becoming the difference between the teams.

Coupled with his willingness to run from the back and create going forward, Nigel must have been watching on wondering how much better things might be if he can keep Miles fit and on the park.

The sting looked to be fading from the toon attack and Derby in turn looked to be getting ready to have one last shot at stealing the game as they realised they could perhaps steal more than just a point from the league leaders.

Ranger came on for Lovenkrands and it seemed that the most dangerous three players on the park to date had all been removed. Their replacements did not seem anywhere near as effective and I for one was not complaining.

Miles headed and headed some more as attacks were repelled by the man mountain who had become the Derby heart and soul for the match. He was running on empty but for every puff, pant and look of exhaustion Addison found another tackle or header to show his opposition he had earned a point and he would take it on his own if he had too.

Paul Connolly who had been solid for the match pushed forward and was crudely fouled by Ranger as he charged down the wing.

The resulting free kick resulted in a foul by Addison who seemed none impressed by the decision as he sprinted back the length of the field empty handed.

Derby attacked with the otherwise invisible Commons leading the charge. He burst through the Toon defence and with memories of his goal against Manchester United in the hearts of Rams fans, sliced it slightly wide.

The intent was encouraging and in his first match back perhaps like Miles was another reminder of what Clough had been missing through injury. More game time and fitness will help Kris and hopefully in turn the Rams results.

In their mutual desperation, Savage gave Addison’s hip a Welsh kiss with his forehead and his mop of hair found itself supporting his dazed head on the St James turf. Sav groggily returned to action and as he did there was a growing sense that the Rams were going to hold on to at least a point.

Savage threw in a sliding tackle that looked more badly timed than intentionally savage (pardon the pun) and got a yellow for his trouble. To make up for putting his defence under pressure Robbie proceeded to save the Rams three times in three seconds from the resulting free kick as he cleared and cleared and cleared again.

Then came the moment that should be added to every Rams fans favourite highlights reel as Stephen (are you watching Capello!!??) Bywater produced one of the most instinctive saves I have ever seen.

Ameobi latched onto a Nolan cross into the box only to find his effort spectacularly tipped onto the bar by Bywater. The ball came down and ran along the goal line before being cleared to safety by the Rams.

It could have been written off as a fluke but the save was purely reflex and a masterful effort. Anything less would have resulted in a goal for Newcastle but instead the save would ensure Derby manage a 3rd consecutive away clean sheet.

From the save of the century Derby broke quickly only for Green to be pulled down by Nolan as he found space on the edge of the ‘D’ and looked ready to strike.

Commons and Savage lined up to take the kick but as Savage fired over the bar, it seemed a last gasp winner was going to evade both the teams.

3 minutes of added time and one final heart stopping moment was still to come as McEveley gave away a tired but professional foul, slicing down Gutierrez who looked set to burst into the box. Collecting his second yellow, Jay left Derby with ten men on the park but more importantly not down on the scoreboard.

Some may say it was a rash tackle but I would say it was just as much a single minded determination to protect the point. The masked zombie made way but he allowed Derby to live and die another day.

Livermore was brought on for D.J as Clough ran down the clock and tried to shore up his battlers for the final minutes. Immediately Livermore’s freshly introduced shoulder blocked a cross for a corner and a bobbling ball that rolled out off a Ram produced another. Savage cleared but the ball returned as every Derby shirt has found a home in defence.

Newcastle proceeded to throw the kitchen sink at the Rams as the final minutes evaporated but the back ten that Derby had now reverted too, hung on until the sweet sound of a referees whistle is heard around St James Park.

Three minutes of extra time became four but four minutes was all she wrote.

FT: 0 - 0

Thoughts n the match: 

It was never pretty and by no means a classic but it was a point against the best in the division and most impressive of all, taken from their home ground which they have made a fortress.

The back four, who were far from first choice, must also be applauded as Connolly, Buxton, Addison and McEveley were desperate, determined and resolute for 94 minutes. Although not always classic defending it was a performance to be commended.

The Rams rode their luck but must be applauded as Clough obviously went into the game with a plan and to their credit the players followed it.

That plan obviously included an itent to attack when appropriate and if possible try not to just gain a point but perhaps nick all three. The formation and players Clough used and his substitution to bring on Commons for the last 20 minutes were a pointer to this intent. 

Most of us expected a defensive unit to be employed but Nigel came out with much more than that. Though I doubt he will get the credit he deserves for that decision as the moan brigade who seem determined to slight his every move, prefer silence when Clough provides them with a genuine team effort.

Nigel and his chargers provided a gutsy display that should be applauded and I hope that even those blindly calling for his head recognised that. But i wont hold my breath.

The return of Addison and Green also played a huge part as the team looks so much better for their inclusion. Bouncing back from bad results is probably the hardest task for any team, in any sport but the Rams did just that as they once again find themselves with a platform to build on.

Maybe this time the foundation will prove to be slightly sounder, especially if they continue to get key players like Miles back on the park regularly.

Dans Man Of The Match:

Miles Addison - HUGE in defence and could lead the Rams from the wilderness if he can stay fit and on the park.

Clough Jnr. may very well find his Dave Mackay in the lad and would do well to build a team around him for the years to come.

Pure guts, class and a performance that made you proud to be a Rams fan. - 10/10.

Photo: Action Images

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