|
0-1 Matthew Kilgallon (80)
Pride Park Stadium, Derby: 28,441
Derby County (4-5-1):
Stephen Bywater [7] - GK - Didn't have much to do in all honesty. Made two good saves to deny Jamie Ward when he was clean through - the first diving full length, the second late on with his feet. Distribution was awful though, including a kick straight out for a throw-in when the Rams were chasing the game in stoppage time.
Paul Connolly [6] - RB - A solid game defensively, positionally sound and strong in the tackle. Needed to get forward more though in support of Lee Croft.
Shaun Barker [5] - CB(R) - A shaky start with two poor early touches, Barker improved as he settled into the game. Looks to be quite pacy, he made some good tackles and won some headers. Needlessly gave away the free-kick that resulted in Sheffield United's goal by pushing the attacker in the back when he was heading towards the corner flag.
Miles Addison [4] - CB(L) - The worst game I've seen him play. Needed to remember that you don't take risks in your defensive third. Trying to be too clever, he got caught in possession by Ward and only Darius Henderson running into an offside position saw the resulting goal disallowed. Then he decided to pass across his own back line, but gave the ball away, nearly costing another goal. In the second half he took far too long over a clearance in his own penalty area that got charged down.
Dean Moxey [7] - LB - Voted Man of the Match by Rams fans and was Derby's best player. Very solid defensively, he headed and tackled well. Got forward too in support of Gary Teale and Kris Commons.
Lee Croft [5] - RM - Showed glimpses of what he's capable of with his pace and ability to beat the full-back. Unfortunately he saw far too little of the ball and, when he did have possession, his crosses were poor and usually over hit.
Paul Green [5] - CM(R) - Started well with energy and dynamic forward runs. Played a brilliant through ball to Stephen Pearson for the best chance of the first half. Faded after about half an hour and was hardly in the game after that. Could have no complaints about being substituted after an hour.
Robbie Savage [6] - CM - A solid game in the holding role. Nothing particularly stand out but did nothing wrong either. Chased and harried as always and passed the ball well.
Stephen Pearson [6] - CM(L) - Solid alongside Savage in midfield. Looked to get forward when the opportunity arrose and should have done better when put through by Green. Passed the ball better than in recent games.
Gary Teale [6] - LM - Far more involved than Croft, he caused the full back problems but a combination of a lack of support, and crosses that were all too easy for Mark Bunn to grab in Sheffield's goal, meant that his possession didn't create enough goal scoring opportunities. Had a glorious opportunity to set Rob Hulse up for a clear chance in the first half but his final ball was too close to Bunn who gathered easily in the Sheffield goal. Cut inside in the second half and hit a tame shot when he might have been better passing. Switched to the right wing when Commons came on.
Rob Hulse [6] - SC - Needs to lead the line more effectively if this 4-5-1 system is going to work. In fairness to Hulse though, both the supply line from Croft, Teale and Commons, and the support from Pearson and Green was below par. Had a good chance at the far post in the second half but headed wide.
Substitutes:
Jake Livermore [6] - CM(R) (for Green, 62) - More involved in this cameo appearance than in previous games. Showed a willingness to get forward, wanted the ball, and showed some very good touches. Had one shot but it was well wide.
Kris Commons [6] - LM (for Croft, 74) - Made an immediate impact with two early runs down the left wing, one ending in a cross, the other winning a corner. Didn't see much of the ball after that.
Dean Leacock [n/a] - CB (for Barker, 90+) - A curious late substitution for Barker when Derby needed a goal and an extra striker on the pitch. Wasn't on the pitch long enough to make an impact.
Subs not used: Saul Deeney, Jay McEveley, Jake Buxton, Paul Dickov...