Latest fans view by Stuart Hughes

1-0 Gary Teale (85)

Pride Park Stadium, Derby : 27,144

Derby County (4-4-2):

Stephen Bywater [7] - GK - Showed safe hands and a command of his penalty area all game. Positioned himself well to make a good save from Alvaro Saborio's free header in the first minute. Just before the break he did very well when Saborio was clean through. Came out of his area second half to sweep up behind his defence. Released the ball quickly whenever he could but his long range kicking lacked accuracy.

Paul Connolly [6] - RB - Defensively did very well against Marvin Elliott and put in a solid performance. Still tends to hoof the ball too often and didn't get forward much in support of Lee Croft. On the one occasion he overlapped Croft late in the second half at 0-0 his cross was over hit.

Shaun Barker [7] - CB - A lack of communication with central defensive partner Dean Leacock left Saborio unmarked in the first minute for a free header. Barker overcame this shaky start to put in a fine performance that suggests this could be Derby County 's strongest pairing at the back. When he wins his headers, he wins them strongly, heading the ball firmly and for considerable distance. Unfortunately he sometimes missed his headers. Predominantly picked up Saborio which meant he had most of the aerial battles. Tackled well throughout, and made a great first half block. Made up a lot of ground late in the first half when Saborio was clean through to deny the opportunity with a great tackle.

Dean Leacock had a superb return to the Rams defence and voted fans man-of-the-match

Dean Moxey [7] - LB - Allowed Evander Sno too much room early on, which resulted in the early pinpoint cross for Saborio's free header. Recovered well to put in a solid display defensively, strong in the tackle and good in the air, although he did misjudge one header late in the second half that skimmed off his head towards his own goal. Got forward well and hit too long range shots - one straight at the goalkeeper Adriano Basso, the other over the bar. Supported Gary Teale well but his one cross was over hit.

Lee Croft [6] - RM - Showed a strong determination and work rate throughout, working hard when not in possession, tackling hard and winning the ball back a few times. Pace and trickery allowed him to gradually get the better of Jamie McAllister as the game wore on. Had a couple of shots in the first half - one over the bar and another blocked. Seizing on a poor clearance by Basso, he ran forward but shot wide from just outside the penalty area with the goal gaping. After another mazy run, hit a tame long distance shot which Basso gathered comfortably. Generally his crossing and final pass were below par.

Robbie Savage [7] - CM - Put in a good captain's performance, working hard particularly when Bristol City had possession with his willingness to close players down and tackle. Passed the ball well, generally incisive passes that helped the Rams gather momentum and attack. Broke forward well in the first half and opted to pass, rather than shoot when clean through inside the penalty area, only for James Vaughan's shot to be blocked.

Jake Livermore [5] - CM - Looked good when he had the ball, passing well and breaking forward, and generally helping Derby 's attacks. Unfortunately wasn't involved enough and the game passed him by when Bristol City had possession. Hit one shot over the bar, another was blocked, and a third was straight at the goalkeeper.

Gary Teale [6] - LM - No denying his work rate but his usual effectiveness wasn't there. Struggled first half to get the better of Bradley Orr and the Robins' right back dispossessed him on a number of occasions. Got more success as the game wore on. His crossing either failed to clear the first defender or was over hit, and his set-piece delivery wasn't much better. Hit one shot over the bar and was unlucky with an acrobatic bicycle kick that went wide. Scored the only goal with a fantastic winning strike, cutting in from the left, Teale ran past a couple of defenders with pace, before hitting a lovely low shot from 20-odd yards that nestled in the bottom corner of the net.

Rob Hulse [7] - SC - Worked hard against the giant Jamie McCombe but got short change out of him first half. Showed more mobility after the break and was fouled by McCombe for both yellow cards which saw the Robins' captain take an early bath. Had a number of attempts on goal - two shots wide, including a delightful turn and shot from the edge of the penalty area, and another shot blocked.

James Vaughan [7] - SC - His pace and first touch certainly gives the Rams an added dimension going forward. His control, ability to run with the ball, and strength to hold off a challenge made him a constant thorn in Bristol City 's side. Had a couple of attempts in each half, two shots blocked and two shots straight at the goalkeeper. Sometimes holds onto the ball too long when in possession but looks a good addition to the squad.

Substitutes:

Paul Dickov [6] - SC (for Vaughan , 63) - Always looking for the ball and passes it well, but did most of his best work with his back to goal or when dropping deep to gain possession. Passing incisively, aligned with a good first touch, Dickov kept the ball moving and the Rams attacking. Had a difficult chance, due to a pass behind him, but hit his shot from inside the penalty area wide.

Lee Hendrie [7] - CM (for Livermore , 78) - Did more in 12+ minutes than Livermore had in 78. Showed intelligence to constantly run into space and was always looking for and demanding the ball. Constantly involved following his introduction, showed a very good first touch, an ability to pick out and deliver an incisive pass, and was always looking for a return pass. Had two good opportunities - one shot wide and another straight at the goalkeeper.

Miles Addison [n/a] - CM (for Croft, 90) - Not on the pitch long enough to have an impact.

Subs not used: Saul Deeney, Fredrik Stoor, Jay McEveley, Ben Pringle.

Note: A six is my benchmark score and represents a solid performance by the player. "You did ok, you did your job."