Nottingham Forest (3) 3-2 (0) Derby County1-0 Radoslaw Majewski (1)
2-0 Dexter Blackstock (28)
3-0 Nathan Tyson (43)
3-1 Wes Morgan own goal (51) - deflecting Miles Addison's overhead kick
3-2 Jake Livermore (62)
City Ground, Nottingham: 28,143
Stephen Bywater [5] - GK - Had a difficult first half behind a self-destructing defence. Possibly could have done better for Forest's 2nd and 3rd goals. His kicking and distribution needs to improve. Apart from picking the ball out of the net three times, he didn't have to make too many saves.
Paul Connolly [5] - RB - Part of a back four that were run ragged all afternoon. Tackled well but did pick up a booking. With his colleagues too square, guilty of standing with his hand up for offside instead of tracking Nathan Tyson's run for Forest's 3rd goal. Didn't get forward enough to support Gary Teale and Lee Croft.
Miles Addison [5] - CB(R) - The only one of Derby's back four not to get booked. Unable to dominate defensively against a lively Forest strike force. Made a tame tackle come challenge in the build up to Forest's 1st goal. Should've done better in the air against Dexter Blackstock for Forest's 2nd goal. Drove forward well in the 2nd half, making a nuisance of himself in Forest's penalty area. His overhead kick deflected past Lee Camp off Wes Morgan for Derby's 1st goal.
Jake Buxton [4] - CB(L) - A poor game and it must be time for Shaun Barker or Dean Leacock to replace him in the team. Strong in the air, but poor defensively in all other areas. His poor clearance went straight to Radoslaw Majewski for Forest's 1st goal. Hampered by an early booking for a rash tackle, Buxton struggled on the deck whenever Forest ran at him with pace.
Dean Moxey [6] - LB - Despite getting booked early for a rash lunging tackle, Moxey was arguably the pick of a below par Derby defence. Strong in the air and solid in the tackle. Supported Kris Commons and Teale well when going forward.
Gary Teale [6] - RM - Looked dangerous on the ball, particularly down the left wing in the 2nd half after switching flanks. Wasted a fantastic opportunity to equalise at 1-0 when he dragged his shot wide. Unlucky not to get on the score sheet 2nd half when his cross come shot was deflected narrowly wide.
Jake Livermore [5] - CM(R) - Made a couple of good tackles, and scored with a deflected shot in the 2nd half, but was otherwise innocuous and invisible as the pace of the game passed him by. Gets a 5 because of his goal but his overall performance barely deserved a 4. Substituted on 78 minutes and surely would've been replaced earlier if Paul Green wasn't carrying an injury.
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Stephen Pearson [5] - CM - Worked hard and saw plenty of the ball but was very inconsistent in possession. Passed to a red shirt more often than a white shirt in the 1st half, and overran the ball too many times to concede possession. Broke forward well a number of times, including the incisive break at 1-0 to create Teale's brilliant opportunity to equalise. Was more consistent and effective in the 2nd half. Maybe should have shot instead of passing on a couple of occasions. Picked up a needless booking as Derby chased the game late on.
Kris Commons [4] - LM - A very poor game as he saw little of the ball and, when he did, was unable to do anything with it. Never got the better of Forest's right back, he was dispossessed very easily. Gave the ball away in the build up to Forest's 3rd goal and was fortunate not to be booked for a rash tackle. Didn't take the field for the 2nd half and can have no complaints.
Rob Hulse [5] - SC - Worked hard in an attempt to lead the line but was having to feed off scraps, particularly in the 1st half. Had the ball in the back of the net in the 1st half only for it to be ruled out for a push on Morgan. Denied by Lee Camp's save when put through in the 1st half with only the goalkeeper to beat. Standing in front of Blackstock, should've been able to clear the cross that produced Forest's 2nd goal. Involved more in the 2nd half, Hulse needed more support and a referee that would give him his fair share of shirt pulling and pushing decisions.
Substitutes: -
Lee Croft [7] - RM (for Commons, h-t) - By far Derby's best player and his introduction at the start of the 2nd half definitely helped Derby back into the game. Gave Forest's left back a torrid afternoon with his pace and trickery, and crossed dangerously into the penalty area on a number of occasions.
Paul Green [n/a] - CM (for Livermore, 78) - Didn't have enough time to make much of an impression.
Paul Dickov [n/a] - SC (for Buxton, 86) - Didn't have enough time to get into the game but did make himself available and showed a good touch and ability to link up play.
Subs not used: Saul Deeney, Jay McEveley, Dean Leacock, Shaun Barker....