Tom Ince’s 40th minute goal saw Derby County to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. Town took the game to the Rams in the second half but rarely looked like getting on terms with the visitors, who have climbed to second.

Boss Mick McCarthy named unchanged XI for the fifth successive game, while Luke Varney, who signed a contract to the end of the season yesterday, was on the bench replacing Jonny Parr, who missed out having picked up a knock. Former Blue Darren Bent was on the bench for the Rams.

Freddie Sears, fresh from his 16th second goal at Fulham on Tuesday, struck the game’s first shot in the fifth minute, cutting in from the left and hitting a low effort which Derby keeper Lee Grant, in for the injured Scott Carson, saved down to his right.

The Blues were starting the game positively and on eight Brett Pitman profited from Stephen Warnock’s slip on the Town right and sent over a cross which was just too long for strike partner Daryl Murphy.

Derby gradually began to see more of the ball but without creating a chance until the 12th minute when former Norwich midfielder Bradley Johnson shot wide from just outside the area having been teed up by Johnny Russell.

The Rams continued to see the majority of the possession but didn’t create another opportunity until the 21st minute when Tom Ince escaped in space on the right and laid the ball across to Chris Martin, whose shot was superbly blocked by Tommy Smith.

Town threatened on 25 when Murphy nodded the ball down to Sears who was breaking down the left. The former Colchester man might have cut across to an unmarked Pitman earlier and his eventual cross was blocked.

Following the resultant corner, Christophe Berra picked up the game’s first yellow card for catching Warnock with a high boot as he tried to get a touch on a bouncing ball.

On 29 Pitman found Sears on the edge of the area with a pass from wide on the right but the ex-West Ham man’s first touch let him down and George Thorne was able to close him down and block. At the other end, Gerken saved Jacob Butterfield’s effort without fanfare.

A minute later, after Cole Skuse had collided with referee Keith Hill, the ball broke to Sears, who screwed a left-footed strike well wide.

Referee Hill gave Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Johnson a talking to on 34 after the on-loan Arsenal man had taken umbrage to the former Canary had diving in at him after he had already been tripped by one of his team-mates, leading to a short spell of pushing and shoving involving a handful of players.

Berra cut out a Warnock cross from the left on 38 after a swift Derby break, referee Hill having failed to spot a blatant handball during the build-up.

The half had been evenly balanced with few chances at either end but on 40 the visitors went in front.

Russell ran onto Martin’s knockdown midway inside the Town half and Berra’s challenge deflected straight to Ince, who took the ball into the area before hitting a shot which caught Jonas Knudsen’s studs and beat Gerken. It was Ince's seventh goal of the season and his fourth this week after his hat-trick in Tuesday's 4-0 home victory over Bristol City.

The Blues were unable to find a response before referee Hill, whose somewhat erratic decision-making was increasingly infuriating the Town support, blew his whistle to signal half-time.

There had been little in a not overly entertaining game up to the Derby goal, which as so often this season was one that Town really ought to have been able to defend, even if there had been an element of good fortune for the Rams.

When Town had been in good positions all too often they had been let down by a poor final ball or a bad first touch and Derby keeper Grant had never seriously been tested.

Gerken similarly hadn’t been forced into a significant save prior to the visitors taking the lead.

The Blues made a strong start to the second half, Skuse seeing an early strike blocked just inside the area.

On 50 Knudsen found Sears with a short throw on the left and crossed to Murphy, who flicked a difficult header over the bar.

Four minutes later, after Pitman’s header had been nodded behind by Cyrus Christie, the Danish international shot over after a corner on the left had been played to him on the edge of the box.

A minute before the hour mark Pitman was replaced by Ryan Fraser with the Scotland U21 international making his first appearance since suffering a knee injury in October. The on-loan AFC Bournemouth man took up his usual role on the left of midfield with Sears joining Murphy up front. Kevin Bru replaced Maitland-Niles on 63.

Jonathan Douglas had his named added to referee Hill’s book in the 68th minute for a foul on Russell, the Scotland international appearing to make an awful lot out of very little contact.

The Blues continued to take the game to the Rams but Grant was still to be seriously tested. On 75 the keeper failed to deal with a corner from the left but the ball wouldn’t fall to a Town player.

Derby were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute when Butterfield hauled down Skuse, then pushed the Blues’ midfielder in the face with the flat of his hand.

Referee Hill showed only a yellow card which the Rams midfielder still protested at length, at one point grabbing the referee’s arm. Three minutes later, Andreas Weimann replaced Russell.

Town continued to press for an equaliser and on 81 Douglas wasn’t far away when his header from a Fraser cross was cleared off the line by Butterfield at the post. The Scottish winger reached the loose ball on the edge of the area on the right but was caught by Ince’s very high boot and the former Blackpool man picked up a yellow card.

Moments later, after his corner on the right had been cleared, Fraser brought the ball back in and fed Sears with a clever pass, the striker hitting a powerful shot across the face of goal.

Butterfield made way for Derby to boos from the home support, Jeff Hendrick taking over, before Varney was handed his second Blues debut against one of his former clubs replacing Douglas.

Town were unable to get on terms during injury time and Johnson’s 20-yard strike which Gerken pushed past his right post was the game’s final significant action.

The Blues had taken the game to the visitors in the second half and had had most of the ball but had been prevented from creating too many notable chances by a resolute Derby defence, Douglas’s header which was cleared off the line - one of only two Blues shots on target all game - perhaps the nearest Town came to an equaliser.

The result sees the Blues, who have now recorded only one home win in nine, remain sixth in the table but again having fallen short when up against one of the division’s top sides. Town next face QPR at Portman Road on Boxing Day.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas (Varney 84), Maitland-Niles (Bru 63), Sears, Pitman (Fraser 59), Murphy. Unused: Bialkowski, Malarczyk, Coke, Oar.

Derby: Grant, Christie, Keogh, Martin (c), Russell (Weimann 80), Shackell, Johnson, Butterfield (Hendrick 83), Ince (Baird 90), Thorne, Warnock. Unused: Mitchell, Hendrick, Bent, Pearce, Shotton. Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire). Att: 20,161 (Derby: 1,313).

Photo: Action Images

NoCanariesAllowed added 17:20 - Dec 19 CanariesAllowed added 17:09 - Dec 19 No point overanalysing that one. We weren't bad, we just weren't Derby. A classic Championship 'little moments' game with little of significance in it, but the team nearer the top takes a chance and wins it. They were well organised, we failed to find a decent final delivery all day and consequently didn't trouble their keeper enough. Far as I'm concerned, it's perfectly reflective of where the two respective sides are in the table, and we just need to dust ourselves down and get on with the rest of the Christmas fixtures.

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bluefeast added 17:21 - Dec 19 Our home form is a worry ,but if you don't keep the ball you can't carve open chances , we gave Derby defenders an easy game by just throwing the ball down their necks. We do not look like a unit with or without the ball either. Square pegs in round holes will explain that one perhaps. I can go and watch our home games as this style of football is horrible ,zero entertainment.

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bluemay77 added 17:24 - Dec 19 Get ready for the negativity!!
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prebsa added 17:26 - Dec 19 And that is the reason we are not good enough to get promoted. We cannot face the big teams and with our next to nothing transfer budget we will not get out of this league. Knudsen was so poor today. And yet parr still can't get a game. Yes he was injured but he is still better. Knudsen can't throw pass shoot or defend and is not good enough for this league! Douglous goes missing agains the big teams and alongside skuse is just so negative. Sears was quality but again wasted out wide and all of this shows why we won't be going up. Spend money in January and we will have a chance but if we keep this squad then we will be preparing for another year in the championship. Also ref was awful and the Norwich scum players were pathetic

25

TimmyH added 17:29 - Dec 19 Felt at times we played ok but seemed Derby largely had everything under control and was content in the 2nd half to let us have a fair share of the ball and as per the Boro game could have played all evening without scoring although we did come close with the Douglas header. Fact is this shows again we entertain another possible top 3/4 team and end up losing, it really shows how far behind these teams we are, in fact the last time we beat a top half team was back in August against Burnley (when our tails were up). Home form = Poor. Had an opportunity this afternoon to create a little breathing space between the teams below and failed and as per last weekend have to say again another quite poorly officiated game which seems to be becoming frequent in the Championship this season. Disappointing.

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blues1 added 17:31 - Dec 19 Typical rubbish from bluefeast. There was nothing between the teams on the day. Yes, our final ball wasn't good enough at times but just as their keeper had very little to do, neither did gerken. They also had a 12th man in possibly the worst refereeing display I've seen all season.
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runaround added 17:32 - Dec 19 Another frustrating home result. As always the effort could not be faulted but at vital times today that little bit of quality was missing. Derby have an abundance of highly paid quality players and it showed at times as they managed to keep us at arms length for much of the match & it must be said they use the nasty side of the game fully to their advantage with diving & surrounding the ref, it was disappointing that the ref didn't punish this. I think Gerken should have done better with the goal whilst Knudsen & Douglas were poor yet Sears & Skuse were excellent. We are just lacking the quality that the likes of Derby & Boro have but we can still get a top 6 place. Important to bounce back against QPR

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blues1 added 17:33 - Dec 19 IMO a draw would have been the fairest result. Mm said yesterday that Derby are the best team in the division. On that showing I can't agree. Boro are far better.
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pablo123 added 17:34 - Dec 19 Every time we play a team in the top 4/5 we lose , EVERY TIME FFS !! Dear me we are going knowhere at this rate !! We are just not good enough to be promoted , heyho !! And to make it worse that lot up the road won at man u !! Why is bein a town fan so unrewarding ???
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theman added 17:37 - Dec 19 If we want to beat the top teams we need to try and control possession and attack from different angles. No point in doing the same long ball tactics over and over again. Shackle had field day. As soon as we go behind the other team can just sit back and keep the ball making us look toothless. Very frustrating.
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Ipswichlove added 17:38 - Dec 19 Parr for Knusden please Mick !!!
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bluefeast added 17:38 - Dec 19 When you receive 8 million quid for mings and bring in Knudson (MM had never seen him play) Coke another MM signing that is below Championship standard it sends a message loud and clear. We have signed Pitman for free and have Frazer and mainland niles on loan . We also have Douglas who was great in Brentfords energetic 3 man midfield last season but in a two with Skuse is forced to look below average. To me we look terrible. We need investment or we need a new manager who will allow players to express themselves and have this stubborn rigid horrible stele that is encouraged.

5

prebbs007 added 17:40 - Dec 19 Bluemay77 are you a complete idiot ??? Of course there will be negativity. We had no shots on target st home ! We continue to fall short against the better teams. We will not compete with our no transfer fee policy. We have no quality whatsoever. Mick on the radio "we were very good today" well that's an absolute joke Mick. I have been saying for ages that Chambers is the worst full back in the league but I am wrong. Knudsen is much worse. He is an absolute liability!! And Mick is pathetic for still picking him above Parr. We have no chance to be top 6 with this squad. The worst 2 full backs in the league and out central midfield is shocking in terms of creativity. Murphy is an absolute donkey with the touch of an elephant. If we don't invest in January we will fall short. We may be in the same division as the top 5 but we are not in the same league !!!

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GeorgeITFC24 added 17:41 - Dec 19 Unlucky not to get at least a point. Am I in the minority when I say Knudsen has been pretty good all season? Everytime I've seen him he's looked good to me and I thought he marked Ince very well today. Douglas and Murphy were pretty quite for me but in no way terrible. Although I think Maitland- Niles needs a rest.
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jpring89 added 17:45 - Dec 19 Game ended how i thought it would to be honest we are in for the play offs and probably just 6th place when you spend the money derby spend they and boro should occupy the top two spots its proven at most levels if you spend money inevitably you get success. Im not too downhearted about this result onwards and upwards we will have better chance against QPR and brighton now they have lost also on the plus fraser and bru are back.

5

dirtydingusmagee added 17:49 - Dec 19 First of all i think that result was always on the cards,we have struggled to take the points from lowly teams,Derby are a good side.I am not a knocker of Mick McCarthy, but at times i think he is not adventurous enough,and shows too much respect to opposing teams.The result is we can end up chasing the game instead or dictating the play .We never really took Derby out of their comfort zone today,odd moments of optimism but that was it .The positives for me is that we now have Fraser and Varney back, and that could be the boost we desperately need. I personally think we have seen the best of McGoldrick,he has been a great team player but injuries have been a curse.

5

Pip50 added 17:50 - Dec 19 This is what you get with current investment, Derby have a similar crowd and income to outgoing ratio, micky mouse manager hiding behind FFP and an owner who I suspect would kinda like to get rid. I don't have his financial capability but IMO it's worth a punt in Jan widow to reach the riches of the Premier. But hey ho it's not gonna happen. Would be mildly acceptable if the football was good but it's pretty cr@p although you can't fault the effort.

5

MattinLondon added 17:52 - Dec 19 The bottom line is that our final ball lets us down. We lack the quality which the better teams have. Douglas and SKuse are good honest players but cannot control the tempo of the game and if in doubt we hoof. Coming off the bench today Varney tries hard but again lacks that extra bit of quality. I cannot for the life of me see the point in Coke. Derby were guilty of diving and running after the ref. But this did influance the referee on quite a few occasions. We are simply too nice and honest. We are a team in the mould of MM. Honest, down-to-earth and hardworking. But we will fall short of promotion without extra creativity. MM is very stubborn, maybe even arrogant, but again today we witnessed the shortcomings of this current team

8

blues1 added 17:53 - Dec 19 Same old ridiculous scapegoating by some in here. Knudsen played well enough today. Certainly did nothing to deserve the vitriole from the same negative posters on here. Only player today who was poor was Maitland Niles. As George says, think he needs a rest. The same old, we need to spend posters will be here I'm sure(if we'd won they'd be nowhere to be seen). All I'll say is look at Bolton, in dire trouble due to spending big money. Fulham about to have a transfer embargoes imposed on them. The fact is, we are competing with otherscwhove taken the risk of spending big and are only just falling short. Long way to go yet guys. And I'm as frustrated as any of you guys. Just don't slag the team and the club every time we lose. End of the day, we are what we are. And whether that turns out to be good enough by the end of the season or not I'll still be there supporting my team. Coyb

2

jas0999 added 17:54 - Dec 19 Very disappointing result, adding to what has been extremely poor home form since mid August. Away form has been good, but yet again beaten at home by one of the better sides. Yes, there was little in it but as the home side I personally expected more, certainly more than two efforts at goal. I guess it depends on your expectation levels though. Derby played the perfect away game in my opinion and had what we lack, that little bit of quality. I have no doubt that under MM leadership we will regularly be a top ten Championship side, probably fighting to nick a play off spot. That of course will satisfy many and respect to that. Perhaps Evans is happy with that? But for me, as I have said before, the frees and loans will get us so far. Now is the time for significant investment to press on to the next level. Boro and a Derby have shown us we need more. I have no doubt that Skuse/ Douglas works away from home. No doubt. But it doesn't work at home or rarely. It certainly isn't enough to beat the better sides. We need goals in the centre of the park. Creativity. We also need to improve the defence which isn't as good as last season. I'm delighted Varney has recovered from his injury, but is he an impact striker to score from the bench? For me we need to add some quality and January will be a test of MEs ambition. Perhaps he's happy for championship football year on year, charging high prices game in game out. January will tell us if he really does want to press on. Interesting times ahead. We now need to beat QPR, but with just three home wins this season, it will be tough. We are now in a fight for sixth. Happy Christmas to fellow posters. Here's hoping for a great 2016!

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bomber21 added 17:57 - Dec 19 prebbs007.your comments are spot on,enough said. GeorgeITFC24 are you sure you know which player is Knudsen.lol
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CambridgeBlue added 18:00 - Dec 19 Thought we were we slightly the superior side over 90 minutes, they created and took their chances better. Standard game against a top-of-the-league side this season.. Fine margins but we came off second best again.
0

trncbluearmy added 18:01 - Dec 19 We lack quality in vital areas,unfortunately our owner that will not pay for quality so nothing will change. All the top teams have spent,that`s why they are were they are. We have tried to do everything on a shoestring from the Academy upwards. This under the current owner this is about as good as it gets. It surprises me that ME seems happy to fund the club to a certain level so it can hold its own in the Championship but full short of any meaningful success, therefore all he makes is losses and will never see a return on his wedge.

6

GeorgeITFC24 added 18:02 - Dec 19 Bomber21, yes I am sure! I think we scapegoat players a lot. He's been excellent for the last 3 games or so and pretty consistent this whole season. When he has an average game he seems to be slammed by everyone. It's unfair criticism really. I do however agree his long throws aren't working at all.
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StochesStotasBlewe added 18:04 - Dec 19 Dire game, Neither "keeper busy, ball humped up in the air by both teams for the most part. We treat the bloody thing like a hot potato. Some guile needed in midfield, today there was very little on display. Derby matched our physical approach, defended well & were in Keith Hills ear all game, he was a poor ref, & although we huffed & puffed wouldn,t have scored in month of sundays, they basically played like we do, but did it better. Having seen "Boro sweep BHA aside earlier with a super display, I do think they will they will win this division, unfortunately, we (and to some extent Derby) are miles behind them on this evidence.

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