Hiya Coxy,
I went to the game last Saturday against Palace, and it had to have been one of the best games of football at Pride Park in recent memory.
From the outset, both sides slugged it out, creating a number of openings.
Palace, in the first half, adopted a counter-attacking formation which worked well, as they cut us apart at times with their pace and energy. You could tell that they were going to cause us problems, when on the break inside the first few minutes, they surged forward, the ball fell to Clinton Morrison on the right wing, who jockeyed forward and lashed a ball across the goalmouth, fortunately no Palace player was there to turn the ball in.
Their goal was somewhat against the run of play, as on the counter attack, Andy Johnson found some room on the edge of the box to drive the ball at Camp, who squirmed the ball, in what was an unsure first half display by the Under 21 international. Morrison was quickest to react, brushing off Nyatanga and scrambled the ball past a flailing Camp, who was made to look silly.
Besides the goal, Derby dominated first half proceedings, playing neat football in the process. Alan Wright tested Kiraly early on with a curling shot. Lisbie failed to capitalise on a golden opportunity, as Kiraly smothered the ball before he could get a shot in. Smith, as per usual, was tormenting his full back and so too, McIndoe, his partner in crime, who seems comfortable playing in front of the Pride Park crowd. Idiakez in his free role was dictating Derby's forward-play and came up with a stunning finish to level the game going into half time, brushing off his marker outside the box, before curling a superb left foot effort into the roof of the net. Kiraly who had been a thorn in Derby's side until then, had no chance.
As Derby pressed for a second, late in the first half. Palace fought back, most notably with Jobi McAnuff hitting the woodwork with a superlative effort. As the first half ended, Derby seemed in the driving seat.
But Palace, upped the tempo in the second half, having a dominant spell in the first 25 minutes of the second half. They created numerous chances. Ben Watson going closest in a goalmouth scramble, but he was denied three times by two brave saves by Camp and a goal-line clearance by Richard Jackson, who justified Westley's decision to start him, after his recent injury.
But Derby weathered the storm with some brave defending and began to push on in the final 20 minutes, creating a few glorious chances, but opportunities were spurned due to the awareness, agility and bravery of Kiraly, who was heroic for Palace, stopping three one-on-one situations.
As this frantic game drew to a close, both teams looking for a winner, though it seemed Kiraly had done enough to earn Palace at least a point. Derby pushed forward for a last gasp winner. After good work down the right, Lisbie was fed the ball on the edge of the box, and whilst trying to twist, turn and work his way past defenders, he was clumsily tripped by Darren Ward before he could of made an attempt on goal or passed to a team mate rushing in. Relief was felt amongst the home fans, who had been frustrated by the stubborn Kiraly all afternoon.
As Idiakez stepped up for the penalty, the crowd holding its breath. He launched the ball straight down the middle of the goal, but Kiraly managed to parry the effort away as he dived right. Unfortunately for him, the ball rebounded off his legs and fell kindly for Idiakez, who obliged to drill the ball low past a distraught Kiraly. The place exploded.
Delight for Derby, despair for Palace. A cracking game, full of attacking football, which neither team deserved to lose. The atmosphere was also fantastic, largely thanks to the Palace fans who sang proudly throughout. But we also did a creditable job of urging the team on, and it did the trick in the end. Derby taking three valuable points at Pride Park, which is becoming somewhat of a fortress after 3 wins in 3 games.
Coxy, hope this helps!
Jourdan
DCFC
i told my wife we will go after the game, but been under the thumb she no lol
