A crowd of 33,041 where treated to a thrilling match at Pride Park as Derby County took on league Champions Manchester United. The Rams getting what looked like a late winner but being cruelly denied by the referee. The same referee who apparently didn't see a punch in the area by the United keeper moments earlier.
To the match, and Derby started by taking the game to United. The Rams having two shots at goal in the first four minutes, an encouraging sign. In the fifth minute Malcolm Christie dribbles past an advancing Barthez but the angle is too tight and his shot finally goes for a corner.
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After 25 minutes the Rams have a major piece of luck. As the ball breaks to Solskjaer just 10 yards out. It looks odds on for a United equaliser, but his shot rebounds off Oakes right hand post.
Pierre Ducrocq lets loose a 25 yard drive in the 34th minute that has Barthez at full stretch, but he saves with a parry and tips the ball over the bar. Minutes later the save of the match from Andy Oakes. Paul Scholes lets loose one of his trademark shots from just outside the penalty area. Oakes sees it late but produces a marvellous one-handed save low down to his left.
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As the second half gets under way Manchester United start to pressurise. In the 52nd minute Warren Barton pulls back Ryan Giggs just outside the penalty area. The Rams crowd grow quite as they realise it is perfectly placed for a David Beckham free kick. Beckham shoots for the top left-hand corner of Oakes's goal but is several yards too high.
Oakes is again in sparkling form just before the hour mark. A one handed save turns the ball onto his own crossbar and out for a corner after a bullet shot from Beckham.
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United are now 2-1 ahead and Derby must show character to turn this game around. They could either fight or fold. I am happy to say with the crowd still behind them they fought.
With only 15 minutes to go Branko Strupar is brought on for Fabrizio Ravanelli, whom it must be said had one of his quieter games against United. Just minutes later came in many peoples minds the turning point of the game, as a male streaker runs the length of the pitch and swings on the crossbar at the North End, followed by an attempt to kiss Barthez on the head, which resulted in a glove in the face for the exhibitionist. After walking calmly down to the United fans in the South Stand, he is arrested to a chorus of "What the f***ing hell was that". Must have been the cold weather!
The incident seemed to rattle United as 2 minutes later Zavagno finds room on the left wing he races down the line and crosses superbly. Christie had no problem steering the ball into the Manchester net. Again the crowd go wild in the stands. Derby not content with a point it seems continue to go for a third goal.
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Not content with not seeing a blatant penalty for the Rams, referee Dunn disallows what looked a perfectly good goal in injury time. Barthez again in the action as he spilled a Branko Strupar shot. Christie and Barthez arrived at the ball together and the ball ran kindly for Christie to score what should have been a hatrick. Alex Ferguson in an interview later stating he thought the goal should have stood. John Gregory who started his touchline ban at this match also stated that the goal would have stood had it have been at the Stretford End for United. Must be nice to be so favoured by referees!