Derby County 5 Nottingham Forest 0 - e-Derby Review

Article by e-Derby County Correspondent Chris Harrison

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A five star performance from Derby County completely stunned their East Midlands rivals and ensured they equalled their biggest ever victory in the history of this rivalry. Craig Bryson’s stunning hat-trick and goals in-between, from Jeff Hendrick and Johny Russell made sure of the 3 points and goals that Derby have been missing in the last 4 matches.

Derby, coming into the game with no goals in 4 games, quickly got onto the score sheet with Craig Bryson’s first goal on 6 minutes. His header bouncing off Moussi’s arm and back into the midfielder’s path to slot home. Forest enjoyed their best spell of the game after the early goal, winning lots of corners, but failing to hit the target.

Derby’s quick passing was too much for their East Midland rivals and was able to add a 2nd Bryson goal on 32 minutes. Patrick Bamford had the ball out wide, a smart pass into Martin, who held the ball up well and laid the ball for Bryson to stroke it into the bottom corner. Radoslaw Majewski had Nottingham Forests only shot on target shortly after the goal but it was never troubling Lee Grant’s goal, who would go on to achieve his 3rd successive clean sheet.

The Rams were able to add a 3rd goal within 5 minutes of the 2nd, and killed the game off. A clever counter attack from a Forest corner saw Patrick Bamford with the ball on the half way line. His extra touch on the ball drew a 2nd defender and allowed the on rushing Jeff Hendrick with plenty of space to charge on goal. Bamford placed the ball in front of Hendrick to allow him a one on one opportunity with Darlow. Hendrick took his time and hit the ball below Darlow to send the Derby crowd wild.

Derby started the 2nd half as they did the first and didn’t take long for a Chris Martin flick, from a corner, to produce a brilliant save from the Forest keeper. Derby added a 4th goal in the 54th minute following a brilliant left footed strike from Johny Russell, into the top corner from 20 yards out. Russell would go on to miss 2 other chances in the game, taking too long for a one on one with the keeper and a complete swing and miss shortly after.

Craig Bryson would seal his hat-trick from the penalty spot on the 69th minute to complete the 5-0 victory. Patrick Bamford beat the Forest defence to go one on one with the keeper, but with a touch from Bamford and Darlow already committed to the dive, there was only one outcome. A poorly struck penalty from Bryson, sneaking in under the Forest keeper’s foot.

Only once has Derby ever had a win of this margin against their rivals and in that game in 1898, a Derby legend, Steve Bloomer, scored a hat-trick too. The final whistle sent the 31,000 home fans into dreamland and the 2,000 Forest fans devastated.

Over the course of a season there are pivotal moments which define the success or failure of a team. The passion and desire of both teams, to win any “Derby “can build confidence within a team or crush it, depending on the result. With the manner of the victory for the Rams I hope this is that pivotal moment that gives them the momentum going into the back end of the season. Although they are 10 points away from 2nd place Burnley and this is Derby’s first victory in 5 matches, 9 wins out of the last 9 matches, would be enough to take that 2nd spot.

Derby will be more concerned with the next 3 points up for grabs and that will be a trip to Ipswich on Tuesday. Ipswich are the highest placed team in the Championship that the Rams have left to face. Is promotion still an option for the Rams? Of course it is....

Come on you Rams!

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