Chelsea 2 Derby County 1

The Rams travelled to Chelsea hoping for a good performance and at least a point.

Oakes saves well but is unable to stop either Chelsea goal

The first half was not over subscribed with incident, although Chelsea did hit a post in the 6^th minute from a shot by Gudjohnsson. Derby looked to be reeling after 10 minutes and as Hasstlebank ran clear it looked as though he was going to score but Andy Oakes saved well as the linesman ruled there was an offside somewhere in the move.

After 30 minutes Zavagno was booked for the 8^th time this season. Chris Riggott followed him into the book in the 42^nd minute. The resulting free kick again hit the Derby woodwork, this time a shot from Hasstlebank.

Derby where yet again caught asleep when the second half begins. The half is only 7 minutes old when Chelsea substitute John Terry scores with a powerful header from 6 yards out.

Super Strupar scores 4th goal in three starts but it is not enough for a point

Chelsea had Frank Lampard booked in the 55^th minute for a fouls on Boertien. Five minutes later it was Rams midfielder Simo Valakari who went into the referee's book.

Derby came back into the match as Super Strupar scores his 4^th goal for Derby County in only 3 first team appearances.

Chelsea defender Graham Lesaux talked himself into a booking in the 64^th minute after a foul. The resulting free kick was moved forward 10 yards for the dissent. The kick was now in shooting range for Ravanelli but his shot hit the wall and the chance was gone.

The game now quickens down and it looks as though both teams have settled for a draw, especially as Chelsea are now down to 10 men after they used all 3 subs and collect an injury.

Petit scores with minutes to go and denies the Rams a vital point

Hasstlebank collects a booking in the 82^nd minute. Derby had no luck at all in the 87^th minute as a shot from Emmanuel Petit is turned on to a post by Oakes and the resulting scramble enabled Petit to score. Terribly hard luck for the Rams and not what their efforts deserved.

John Gregory finally put Morris on the pitch in the 87^th minute but his pace was wasted with only 3 minutes to go. Surely with Chelsea down to 10 men for the last 10 minutes it was worth putting him on earlier?

The final act of the game was to put Steve Elliott on for Zavagno and place the tall defender up front to try and score the equaliser. It was not to be and Derby are now staring relegation straight in the face. A win against Middlesbrough on Monday is a must.