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Town 2-1 Derby County
Tuesday, 25th Mar 2014 22:15

A dramatic Christophe Berra goal in injury time saw the Blues come from behind to beat Derby and move to within two points of the play-off zone. The Rams went ahead through Patrick Bamford in the opening minute, Jonny Williams equalised with a brilliant second half strike before Berra’s last-gasp winner.

Town boss Mick McCarthy named the expected unchanged side with Anthony Wordsworth again replacing the injured Cole Skuse in the centre of midfield.

Derby made one change from the side which started the 5-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest at the weekend with Johnny Russell replacing the injured Jamie Ward.

The Rams went ahead with their first chance of the evening with the game only 33 seconds old. After breaking following a Town attack, Craig Forsyth cut the ball back from the left and Bamford swept home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Having gone behind so early the Blues put on a brief spell of pressure but were unable to create an opportunity. On 12 Jeff Hendrick’s through ball almost played Craig Bryson in on goal but Town keeper Dean Gerken was off his line quickly to claim.

Former Norwich man Chris Martin was booked in the 15th minute for shoving over Berra after the Scottish international had remonstrated with the Derby striker for going to ground very easily on the edge of the box.

Wordsworth saw a shot blocked in the 20th minute but the Blues — with Stephen Hunt now on the right and Paul Anderson on the left - were still to create a serious chance, while the Rams were continuing to look dangerous on the break, goalscorer Bamford cutting in and hitting a low 26th minute shot to Gerken.

On 28 Martin was very fortunate not to receive a second yellow card for a late challenge on Berra, referee Fred Graham waving away the Town protests much to the annoyance of the home support.

Moments later, Russell sent a low ball across the Blues’ six-yard box but with none of his team-mates far enough forward to take advantage.

Derby keeper Lee Grant was having a quiet evening with claiming a Williams cross his biggest test during the first half.


In injury time the Rams were again very lucky not to see their number reduced when Bryson caught Williams with a very high challenge midway inside the Blues half, the on-loan Crystal Palace man requiring lengthy treatment, not for the first time during the first period. Referee Graham showed only a yellow card.

The Wales international appeared to have been targeted by the Rams and soon after the game restarted was fouled again, albeit less severely, this time by Hendrick, who escaped a card.

Referee Graham blew his whistle moments later and was booed off the field by an increasingly incensed home crowd, while Mick McCarthy made his feelings known to the official as he made his way towards the tunnel.

After conceding so early, the Blues had had a fair amount of possession but without creating any significant chances with Derby closing them down quickly.

The Rams, who could count themselves very fortunate to end the half with 11 men, attacked slickly and with pace when they had the ball.

The second half began in the same feisty manner in which the first ended, Aaron Cresswell making a very firm but fair challenge on George Thorne, which left the on-loan West Brom man requiring treatment. On 51 Thorne got himself into referee Graham’s book for preventing Williams from taking a quick freekick.

The Rams weren’t far away from increasing their lead in the 53rd minute when Bamford was sent through on goal inside the area. Fortunately for the Blues Gerken reacted quickly to block superbly, the loose ball eventually falling to the Town keeper.

A minute later, the Blues created an opening, Williams crossing deep from the left to Chambers, who headed down into the six-yard area but with none of his team-mates there to add the final touch Andre Wisdom cleared.

As the game moved towards the hour mark Rams’ keeper Grant was forced into his first save. Anderson found Murphy and the striker took the ball to the right of the area before hitting a shot which Grant tipped wide.

Before the corner Town switched widemen Anderson and Hunt for Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Frank Nouble as they moved to 4-3-3. On 67 Williams was booked for tripping Thorne.

Two minutes later, the on-loan Palace man got the Blues back on terms. Cresswell played a freekick on the left short to him and he brought the ball in and smashed a superb strike to Grant’s left and into the net from almost 30 yards giving the keeper no chance.

Town had deserved to get back on terms for their endeavour, particularly since the break and Williams especially so given some of the treatment meted out to him by the visitors in the first half.

The game had developed into an open end to end affair and on 72 Derby were close to going back in front when Martin cut the ball back from the left to Bamford, who shot just wide.

They came even nearer three minutes later when they broke after the Blues surrendered possession on midway and Forsyth brought the ball forward before hitting a powerful shot which struck the outside of Gerken’s right post. Soon after, Nouble picked up a yellow card for a foul.

As the match moved towards its final 10 minutes Frazer Richardson replaced Chambers, who had suffered a knock, then Town went close to going in front. Nouble crossed from the right and Ebanks-Blake headed downwards from six yards but onto the outside of Grant’s right post and wide.

On 84 Forsyth was booked for a dive just outside the Town box with the game still very open and with both teams going for the three points.

In the final minute Berra made a superb challenge on Martin on the edge of the Town box then Nouble broke down the left to win a corner, just as the fourth official held up his board to announce five additional minutes.

And from the flagkick, Town went in front. Cresswell whipped the ball across and Berra nodded home his fifth goal of the season from the edge of the six-yard box before being mobbed by his team-mates in front of the Co-op Stand.

Derby went looking for an equaliser in the remaining minutes of injury time but rarely seriously threatened to get back on terms before referee Graham blew his whistle, this time to huge cheers from the home support

It was a pulsating finish to what had been an end to end second half from which either side could have grabbed the victory. Williams’s goal was as good as any scored at Portman Road this season, while Berra again showed his abilities at both ends of the field as Town claimed the late winner.

The back to back victories over Brighton and now Derby, coupled with results going the Blues’ way elsewhere, mean that with eight games remaining they are firmly in the play-off fight in eighth place just two points from the top six with plummeting Nottingham Forest at Portman Road on Saturday.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (Richardson 79), Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Anderson (Nouble 61), Hyam, Wordsworth, Hunt (Ebanks-Blake 61), Williams, Murphy. Subs: Loach, Mings, Richardson, Tabb, Green.

Derby: Grant, Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Thorne (Naylor 90), Bryson, Hendrick, Russell, Bamford (Sammon, 75), Martin. Subs: Legzdins, O'Brien, Whitbread, Bailey, Naylor, Thomas. Referee: Fred Graham (Essex). Att: 17,399 (Derby: 611).


Photo: Action Images



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Liastro added 22:18 - Mar 25
What a stunning performance and wonderful night for the whole club! A brilliant comeback win, a wonder strike from Joniesta and player of the season-elect Christophe Berra pops up sigh he winner.

I was 1 of many who said a couple of weeks ago that we wouldn't make the play-offs; I think we've got every chance now. Results have gone our way tonight, leaving us just 2 points off Reading in 6th.

Let's get behind the boys on Saturday against Forest (who are winless in 8) and bring them home again. Another win, and we can start dreaming.

8 games left, 8 cup finals, let's bring he good times back to Town! COYB - WE LOVE YOU MICK!
31

louisrf added 22:19 - Mar 25
I will be the 1st to say and probably like a lot of people I was not expecting this! :) brilliant and forest are there for the taking
13

byleso1 added 22:20 - Mar 25
Well done lads
7

Michael11 added 22:21 - Mar 25
Massive result! If you'd told me we'd be in this position after losing 3-1 at home to Wigan last Saturday, I would have laughed at you. Great team effort to come back against a good team. The players/staff deserve a huge amount of credit for keeping their spirits up and continuing to put the pressure on. Thin k that evens out the 4-4 in the away game. Now bring on Forest!! COYB!
14

TractorCam added 22:21 - Mar 25
Absolutely buzzing, that is a huge win in our season, dare to dream?
9

RaymondovicBlue added 22:22 - Mar 25
I've only got the brief match facts to go by, but you cannot say Mick was defensive, nor that he refused to have a go. brilliant result ... not expected to be honest, but DELIGHTED and proud ( also to be honest)
6

superkevinwilson added 22:22 - Mar 25
you changed your tune Byleso1
2

afrodids added 22:24 - Mar 25
Like my old man always said." It's better to concede in the 1st minute than the last" COYB another great result and all the results went our way tonight. In the words of Terry Tibbs. "Don't fcuk it up!" Lol
2

HALLSJ added 22:25 - Mar 25
Amazed, stuck for words need to see 20,000 there Saturday, need as much support as possible. Didnt results just go for us...lost Wigan, Reading, Forest, Blackburn v Watford draw...absolutely so chuffed sister inlaw Derby fan also lol
7

BillBlue added 22:26 - Mar 25
Again an excellent win. Well done and many congratulations to the team and MickM. Pulsating end??
6

brockleyblueboy added 22:28 - Mar 25
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

That's is all
4

Scribble added 22:28 - Mar 25
Have to say that Nouble gets so much criticism and most of the time rightly so but when he came on he was quality and made a huge difference
22

Lightningboy added 22:28 - Mar 25
Brilliant,brilliant,brilliant!!!!!

Believe,and it can really happen!!!......
7

NoCanariesAllowed added 22:30 - Mar 25
Biggest result of the season. Though there could be bigger if we keep this up.

By the way, that photo is a thing of beauty. :D
3

TimmyH added 22:33 - Mar 25
Well incredible! - sounded like the game wasn't too dramatic up until the hour mark other than the tackles and poor refereeing and we'd hardly worked their keeper. Then by the sounds of it it sounded like a bit of an end to end affair.
Have to credit the lads for getting 3 points out of this one and the will to get back into it.

6th place well and truly up for grabs now and who would have thought that a couple of weeks back! - Reading losing at home to bottom Barnsley (they've been woeful at home), Charlton beating Forest away, Yeovil being denied at the death by Leicester! Yes the Championship freaky results are back....time for the Tractor now to trample all over the Forest. COYB!!! Well done All.
6

Middle2605 added 22:33 - Mar 25
Unbelievable Jeff! COYB
8

PutneyBlue added 22:34 - Mar 25
Fantastic!

Don't tempt providence about Forest - how many "easy" games have we managed to draw when we should have won? Treat it as just as big a game as Brighton and Derby and we could have a great result.
10

Fat_Boy_Tim added 22:36 - Mar 25
Get in boys, keep pushing. We are starting to see what MM might be able to achieve with this team.

Maybe those who bleat on about Taylor and hate Nouble can log off for a night.
2

Keaneish added 22:38 - Mar 25
You see Mick? You see what happens when we go for it? Great night in the North Stand. First in many a year.
The first half was dour and predictable but thank god for a change and a gamble to try and get back in the game. Fantastic result!
19

warktheline added 22:38 - Mar 25
Mick really deserves credit for pulling off the loan signing of JW. We really need to retain him till end of season. Chuffed to bits, me tonight. Blueboy, I sincerely hope the boys give you something to smile about come May. We all know how unpredictable football gets towards tail end of season, Barnsley winning at Reading.....So lets all get behind the boys and see where it takes us. COYB.
16

JohnB13 added 22:39 - Mar 25
It's amazing how two good results can change a season!

We were no-hopers coming in to these two games - and that was just listening to our supporters on here.

It's true we have a great chance now, but we need to be careful and give NF the respect and attention they deserve. They are now the way we were one week ago. Look what's happened to us since.
8

BlueMachines added 22:39 - Mar 25
Chris Martin. Dirty cheating git!

On a more positive note, great to be entertained at Portman Rd again. I really enjoyed the game tonight. Haven't said that nearly enough for a long long time!
15

StochesStotasBlewe added 22:42 - Mar 25
A really entertaining blood & thunder match, well done to all, smashing goal from Williams, positive substitutions at the right time, great atmosphere 2nd half. Derby could have been down to 10 before half time but to be fair, that ref was as bad for both teams as I,ve seen in a very long time. PR was rocking at the end. Football, bloody hell.
12

Tractamatt added 22:44 - Mar 25
This is what ecstatic feels like, Now Forrest and really only an away game at Burnley to worry about and I think wins and draws possible from all the other games.We shall see what we shall see but COYB
1

Jimmy86 added 22:47 - Mar 25
Absoloutly buzzing and that win tonight was even more huge than against brighton on saturday, what with other results going our way. Was disappointing to concede after 40 seconds though but we grew into the game. Derby were lucky to go in at half time with 11 men and the woeful ref, who wasn't fit to ref a sunday league game bottled giving martin a secomd yellow. Had he not have been on a booking already, which poss should have actually been a straight red anyway he would have been boomed for the second. Really good game and a massive 3 points. Cant make sat coz of work, gutted dont even come close. We are on a roll!! Coyb
5


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