GW 33: Derby County 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Derby and Nottingham share the points in the East Midlands derby
Quentin Gesp
Date Published: 26th February
After opening the scoring at the half-hour mark, Nottingham Forest couldn’t do better than a draw at Derby County (1-1) in East Midlands derby.
Image credit: Getty Images.
Following their win at Huddersfield in the week (2-0), Wayne Rooney's Derby County produced a lack lustre performance against neighbours Nottingham Forest.
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On the other side, Nottingham made the trip to Derby with the intention of continuing its strong comeback in the table and the ambition of securing a third consecutive win.
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Two changes were made by the both coaches. Wayne Rooney trusted Jozwiak and Waghorn in a Nottingham-style 4-2-3-1, while Chris Hughton lined-up Ribeiro and Garner.
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The start was balanced but without any real thrill. The two teams delivered a start full of good intentions but without really taking any risks, with a game mainly played in the midfield. It must be said that both teams seem to have done enough to secure their survival this season.
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The first opportunity came on the 22nd minute. On a countered Buchanan strike, Shinie hit a volley, forcing Samba to a stop. The ball went back to Jozwiak who took a shot which cannoned onto Ribeiro's arm from his tackle. No penalty, but a corner where Samba missed the ball and saw Knight take a shoot over his bar.
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Half an hour into the game, Nottingham finally found the loophole. After a corner, local lad Joe Worrall handed the ball back to the far post where James Garner volleyed and scored against a David Marshall who should have done better (33). 1-0 and a first senior goal for Forest’s youngster.
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A goal that has long seemed to be decisive: Nottingham had won 9 times out of 9 after score the first goal this season. Conversely, Derby had lost 14 times in as many matches after conceding the opener.
David Marshall came out with an injury only seconds later, replaced by Kelle Roos (42).
Image Source: Sky Sports
The second period started at the same pace, with Nottingham controlling the game. But Derby looked dangerous on set pieces. On a cross fleeing to the far post, Waghorn and Knight were in the right place. Knight put his head up but couldn't find the target (57).
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Nottingham reacted immediately with a good move between Knockaert and Christie, decidedly well together. Forest’s full back found Garner on a good cross but the one who scored the opener couldn’t endanger Roos (61).
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A few minutes later, Worrall was again found with a header from a corner (72), symbol of a permanent danger on set pieces.
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Nottingham were heading for a 5th success in its last 7 games, moving surprisingly back into the contenders’ race for the playoffs.
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But on an innocuous move, Figuiredo missed his clearance. Kazim-Richards countered the ball and tried his luck instantly to find Samba's net to score a brilliant goal (84). His 7th goal of the season, being Derby’s top scorer.
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The end of the game will be much more animated than the whole match, being quite calm. Derby got the last real chance with a Gregory strike out of target. 1-1 final score.
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'I spoke to the players at half-time to keep them calm and told them that we could still win the game, and what happens second half is not good enough from us. There wasn't enough intensity, we made silly mistakes, goalkeepers couldn't kick the ball where it was meant to go and it was a build-up of things that were happening through the second half', reacted Wayne Rooney post-game.
'That's the disappointment, the goal they scored can happen, it's a fabulous strike and it's a great finish, but by that stage we needed to be further ahead. In the areas we were better, breaking through into the final third, we needed to be more clinical and come up with the final ball', added Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton.
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MOTM – Anthony Knockaert. Used to this kind of big game, the Frenchman delivered a strong performance. On his right wing, he hurt the Derby defence, constantly managing to be dangerous, to accelerate the pace of the game. He was one of the few creative players. Also note the solid performance of Joe Worrall, always so valuable on second balls and author of an assist.
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