After playing league Champions Manchester United On Sunday and gaining a very creditable draw, perhaps it was asking the impossible for the players to raise their game again just 48 hours later to take on Arsenal in their own backyard.
The game however was not a formality for Arsenal as many media pundits predicted. The Rams had several creditable chances throughout the match and with a little more luck may have stolen a point.
The match was goaless and pretty low key during the opening 45 minutes and the crowd of 37,878 where pretty quite. Arsenal started the game at a very quick pace and where looking to catch Derby asleep after their exertions of two days ago. The Rams stood firm and Chris Riggott again showing his growing class at the heart of the defence.
The second half was in it's infancy and Arsenal continued to build the pressure on the Rams goal, when in the 53 minutes a shot from Henry hit a post and rebounded out into the grateful arms of Andy Oakes.
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The decisive moment in the match came in the 71st minute. A strong run by Pires was not challenged by recent substitute Grenet and the Frenchman lashed his shot past Oakes to give Arsenal the lead.
Derby where by now showing signs of fatigue or injury. Robert Lee was replaced in midfield and Giorgi Kinkladze had limped out of the game. Branko Strupar had also left the field looking very weary, as you would expect from a man who had been injured for so long and asked to play a part in two matches in 48 hours.
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Derby where not disgraced at Highbury and a 1-0 lose is not a serious blow to their survival hopes. If they maintain this enthusiasm that John Gregory has instilled in the players since his arrival, they may still beat the drop.