What - A - Day! There’s beating your local rivals and there’s humiliating your local rivals with a magnificent performance. It was truly that… magnificent from beginning to end.

The Rams looked sharper from the off and were clearly up for it, completely unlike their East Midlands foes. Just six minutes in, Craig Bryson bustled through the defence and his persistence paid off with a close-range finish.

The goal began from some neat work from the lively Jamie Ward, but the ball fizzled away and found its way to the Scotsman.

Bryson’s opener had Derby bouncing and more dominance paid off when a great turn and pass from Patrick Bamford fell to Chris Martin, who also turned and then found Bryson, who had made a darting run into the box, on hand to tidily slot the ball home. The fluid build-up was lovely to see, Forest simply couldn’t cope with it.

A third goal quickly followed, it massively caught out the Reds as it all began from a Reds’ corner. Lee Grant, holding off Forest pressure, punched the ball away; it fell to Ward who hit it on to Bamford. The Chelsea loanee had two desperate defenders rushing his way, he held them off and showed his awareness, seemingly without even looking up, to perfectly pick out Jeff Hendrick, who did the rest, hitting the ball both between Karl Darlow’s legs and the goal posts.

Counter-attacking football at its best. It came just five minutes after the second goal, thus, after little over half an hour, Derby were comfortably three goals to the good.

It was 3-0 at the break but it really could have been more, the Rams looked like scoring when they marched forward and were good value for the lead. I thought at half-time that the floodgates would remain open for more — and they did.

Johnny Russell, on for the injured Ward, didn’t take long to get in on the act and open the hosts’ second-half account. Russell hit a beautiful strike under ten minutes into the second 45 and sent the crowd wild. Such a well-struck effort, the goal must be a goal of the season candidate. Later on after his remarkable goal, the striker slipped and made an embarrassing miss-hit.

Luckily, the home faithful were in a position to laugh and not groan and he appeared to follow suit, later tweeting…

“Taking a bit of stick for the fresh air swing :) :), to be fair it was slippy ;)"

As the rain poured in the second 45, the goals continued to pour with it as Rams fans were in for a treat to tell future generations about.

A 69th minute penalty concluded the afternoon’s scoring. Darlow was brought down by Bamford in the area, due to the forward advancing away from the goal the ‘keeper was spared in an early shower (although that must have been an appealing prospect with the rampant Rams not settled with 4-0).

It was certainly a penalty. No arguments.

Craig Bryson (who else?) hit the ball down the middle to complete a wonderful hat-trick.

Amazingly, the last 5-0 win by the Rams in this fixture also contained a hat-trick. The great Steve Bloomer, on that day in 1898, bagged three goals, and now has a bust beside the home dug-out in his honour. Is there room for a Bryson one anywhere?

That penalty rounded it all off and from then to the last whistle the home side kept the ball extremely well, frustrating their fierce rivals.

If I was a Nottingham Forest supporter, I’d be ashamed of the team. They didn’t look like they wanted it, put up no fight and never looked like scoring.

For the second goal, two players rushed to the same ball, leaving the on-rushing Hendrick free to score. Wouldn’t it be funny to see Billy Davies sacked after Nigel Clough did in the reverse fixture? I think it’s time Billy went.

Whenever the poisoned dwarf, continuing to avoid the media, came to the technical area, he was met by a chorus of boos and, of course, the standard ‘Cheer up Billy… (you know the rest)’ chant.

He thinks it’s him against the world and the Forest supporters appear to be turning on him, little over a year after ‘king Billy’ returned.

Anyway, back to McClaren’s classy side. The team performance as a whole is worthy of a lot of praise and every single player was more than up for it, they were busting with energy and genuine attacking intent. In addition, the passion the players also had is extremely pleasing.

Of course they should have that ardour, but it does seem very heartfelt, and it is very inspiring to the crowd, which brings me to my next point.

The ground’s atmosphere was incredible. All sides of the ground played their part and the new South Stand arrangement (where the DCFC fans are now all housed behind the goal, with the away fans ostracised into the corner) looked the part.

In terms of stand-out performers, I can’t look further than Craig Bryson for man of the match. The midfielder put in a real shift and supported the attack to great effect. Forest’s midfield, which featured Jesus look-a-like Jonathan Greening (who couldn’t even provide a miracle against such a good team), were run ragged by him.

Today’s hat-trick means the 27-year-old is on 15 goals for the season, a marvellous tally for a midfielder.

Aside from the hat-trick hero, I was very impressed with George Thorne, making his debut in the absence of the suspended John Eustace. To be honest, I had my doubts; I thought he would have played by now (he joined in late January) if he was any good.

Thorne made some intelligent passes and firmly looked the part. As I’ve said numerous times this season, it’s fantastic to be able to have one integral player replaced by someone more than up to scratch — instead of having to call on a less competent player (as Derby have had to do at times in the past five years).

Patrick Bamford, against his old club, looked splendid. The Chelsea man’s off-ball movement was good, as were the clever interchanges he had with the hosts’ middle and front lines, which a key played a part in two goals.

Jeff Hendrick, criticised recently for looking a little off the pace, was also in form, imposing his presence in the midfield areas.

I hope Jamie Ward, who went off injured before the break, is okay. He looked extremely sharp before giving way to Russell, who showed that tenacity he always shows.

So, after four games without a goal this is what we got.

A day to be remembered for a long time to come.

Up the Rams!

For more of Nathan's articles you can read his blog at www.derbycountyfan.com and follow him @NathansRamsBlog on Twitter.

Photo: Action Images

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