Derby County (0) 1-0 (0) Nottingham Forest
1-0 Rob Hulse (78)
Pride Park Stadium, Derby: 32,674
Derby County (4-4-2): -
Stephen Bywater [7] – GK – Had very little to do during 90 minutes but what he did have to do he did competently enough. Made a fine save from Dexter Blackstock and then reacted quickly to deny Paul Anderson scoring from the rebound.
Nicky Hunt [7] – RB – Another very solid game defensively from Hunt, strong in the air and on the deck. Read the game well and, late on, ran the width of the penalty area to make a fantastic block tackle that denied a goal scoring opportunity for Forest. Got caught out twice: the first resulting in a yellow card after he found himself the wrong side of Blackstock and fouled the former Rams loanee; the second when Radoslaw Majewski got the better of him along the touchline and Hunt was relieved that the cross was hit too hard for Anderson to convert. Got forward well, with pace, and delivered a couple of superb crosses.
Shaun Barker [9] – CB(R) – Was voted Man of the Match by Rams fans and deservedly so. Barker was immense for the entire game, totally dominating in the air, never missing a header, and strong in the tackle. Only one mistake all game when he allowed Majewski to run past him along the goalline too easily. Very unfortunate not to score in the first-half when his header was brilliantly turned around the post at full stretch by Lee Camp.
Jake Buxton [8] – CB(L) – Playing alongside Barker, Buxton was equally dominant and, between them, Blackstock, Rob Earnshaw and Dele Adebola weren’t given a sniff. Brought a fine save out of Camp with a looping first-half header.
Jay McEveley [7] – LB – A very solid and impressive game defensively. Made a great block to keep out Anderson’s shot. Contributed well going forward and his distribution was impressive. Booked for holding onto the ball when Chris Gunter wanted to take a quick free-kick in stoppage time.
Paul Green [7] – RM – A very hard working display. Quick to close Forest down, strong in the tackle, and better passing than in recent games. Moved into central midfield when Gary Teale came on, from where he was able to influence the game more.
Robbie Savage [8] – CM(R) – A tremendous game from the Rams skipper, closing Forest down, tackling hard, passing the ball neatly. Really kept the momentum going and drove Derby County forward. Alongside Lee Johnson, the creative Forest duo of Majewski and Paul McKenna were never given time or space to show what they could do.
Lee Johnson [7] – CM(L) – Worked very hard, alongside Savage, to dominate the midfield. High work rate and commitment, and a good range of passing. Delivered some quality corner kicks into the penalty area.
Stephen Pearson [8] – LM – A typical energetic and hard working performance. Got forward well, caused Forest’s defence problems, and was the most creative player in Derby’s midfield. Had a good opportunity early in the game but shot over the bar.
Kris Commons [7] – SC – Worked hard throughout the game and was a constant thorn in Forest’s side with his close control and direct style. Took quite a few corners but his delivery was hit and miss. Was booked early in the second-half for dissent and was possibly lucky to stay on the pitch shortly after when he went down far too easily in the penalty area claiming a penalty. Delivered a quality free-kick for Rob Hulse to power home the winning goal.
Rob Hulse [8] – SC – A much improved performance by last season’s top goal scorer. He put himself about and caused Wes Morgan and Kelvin Wilson problems all game. Headed away Earnshaw’s goal bound effort in the first-half. Sent Rams fans into delirium when he headed Commons’ 78th minute free-kick past Camp. Was booked late in the first-half for a lunging challenge on James Perch and was fortunate to escape a second yellow card when he made a similar challenge on Kelvin Wilson a few minutes later.
Substitutes: -
Gary Teale [6] – RM (for Johnson, 74) – Caused problems with his direct style. Won the free-kick that led directly to the winning goal.
Russell Anderson [n/a] – CM (for Commons, 87) – Settled into a defensive midfield role, just in front of the back four, and helped keep Forest at bay in the closing minutes.
Chris Porter [n/a] – SC (for Hulse, 89) – Not on the pitch long enough to make an impression.
Substitutes not used: Saul Deeney, Dean Moxey, Miles Addison, D.J. Campbell.
Derby County Mad is on facebook. Search for “Derby County Mad” and join the group.