How often do we see these types of games fail to live up to their hype? A big build up, pundits sitting on the fence and a guarantee of goals, only for the resulting match to fall as flat as a City Ground atmosphere?

Thankfully, this top of the table clash was as absorbing as a good film; a good start, drama at all the right points, unexpected twists and an explosive ending.

Unfortunately, the weatherman decided this film should play out on a bleak day, with heavy rain greeting over 30,000 eager on seeing the Seagulls’ remarkable unbeaten run halted. What was impressive however was the latest work from the 1884 group, who had provided flags, streamers and a sea of black and white.

The rousing reception from the home faithful almost bore immediate fruit. The Rams, unchanged from the snooze fest at Hillsborough (thank God the beer was good), started like a bloke Christmas shopping; looking to strike early and finish the task as soon as possible. A lofted ball found Martin, who apparently wishes it could be Brighton every day, not Christmas. The big man’s terrific lay-off found Ince, whose goal bound shot was deflected narrowly wide.

Almost straight after, the visitors went close, with March dragging a cut-back wide. It was the Rams however on the front foot. A free kick from the left by Butterfield found Shackell soaring higher than all of the Seagulls to head goalwards, only for Hemed to clear off the line.

Moments later, the ball dropped invitingly on the volley to Ince’s favoured left foot. I confess, I was already looking to the North Stand to see where the ball was going to end up, but Tom instead cracked a shot which either side of Stockdale instead of straight at him would have burst the net.

The Brighton goalkeeper then managed a remarkable feat. With a Brighton player on the deck, he aimed to kick the ball out of play. Instead, he somehow missed the various white lines guiding him and only succeeded in clearing the ball to our right back position. ‘Premier League Official’ Lee Mason took pity and stopped the game. On restart, he bizarrely gave Keogh the ball. Cue airport-marshal style hand-waving from Brighton, prompting Richard to launch the ball back downfield to Stockdale.

Confused? So were we!

Soon after a game of football had eventually broken back out, we were somehow behind. The visitors had a very clear plan; sit back, pick off our mistakes and counter-attack at speed. And in Wilson, on loan from Manchester United, they had the perfect weapon.

Sloppy play on Brighton’s left saw Christie sucked in to the ball, this in turn set Murphy free and his cross, via a slight deflection, found the United youngster who finished smartly.

For the following five minutes, we were busy licking our wounds and very nearly found ourselves deeper in Seagull droppings. Another counter attack involving Wilson was halted, only for Warnock to play the loose ball straight across the edge of the area, bypassing three Rams players and leaving Grant to save from Murphy.

The visitors’ time-wasting tactics had begun in earnest and with Mason seemingly unable to control the contest, it looked like a long end to the half. However, the next few scenes of the film were all about redemption as Derby looked to go in at least level.

First, Johnson let fly from 30 yards, forcing a fine stop from Stockdale. Next, Warnock’s dangerous cross was diverted JUST past his own post by Dunk. However, he was soon slamming his team mates’ marking as from the resulting corner we had a deserved equaliser. Butterfield’s long cross seemed too long, but…was that a bird? Was that a plane? No, it was Bradley Johnson, leaping like 11 lords to head the ball home.

With our woolly tails up, we looked for a perfect end to the halfway scene. Johnson’s one-two with Martin saw him eventually screw a shot just wide, as not for the first time in the half, Brighton got the best of a break in the box. In the other box, poor Rams marking from a throw - in saw Wilson smash a left-footed effort just over the bar.

End of Part 1.

It had been an excellent half of Championship football, but you sensed if the Rams could find a bit more tempo and not be so exposed on the break, then the honour of ending the unbeaten run would be ours.

The start of the second half also brought reason for optimism. First, Keogh intercepted a forward pass and marched up field to find Martin, his cut-back found Ince who via a deflection, saw his shot spin just wide. An obvious deflection to everyone but the ‘Premier League Officials’, none of who seemingly have been to Specsavers recently and as such gave a goal-kick.

The same man went close again soon after. Eager to prove some doubters wrong, Ince picked up the ball, shimmied onto his left foot and saw his effort drift just wide.

Still, the threat remained from the visitors with Wilson certainly the bad guy of this movie. After another break came to naught, 30,000 screamed for a penalty as Weimann’s cross struck Dunk’s hand. It would have been harsh… but you see them given. That was the Austrian’s last involvement as Russell entered the fray.

There followed a period of relative calm, but one that you could sense what was coming next.

Brighton took control of proceedings, keeping hold of possession and sending ripples of discontent amongst the home faithful. Sensing a need for change, Clement introduced Hendrick for Butterfield and indeed, it worked… for Brighton.

Extremely sloppy work from both Hendrick and Johnson saw them contrive to win, lose, win and then wait for each other to play the ball. With the visiting midfielders conscious of not missing Christmas, the ball was stolen and yet another break was on. This time, we weren’t fortunate as after Wilson was halted, the ball broke to Stephens, who showed good composure to find Van La Parra inside the area. Taking a touch, the substitute lashed the ball high into Grant’s net. Seagull droppings, BIG Seagull droppings.

The gaffer went for broke and introduced Bent for Thorne as a blockbuster finished threatened and ultimately played out. Following the introduction of the Rams ultimate arch enemy in Booby Zamora, the visitors looked to shut up shop. Easier said than done against this group of Rams.

Martin pinched the ball on the left and set Russell away. Bursting into the box, he surveyed his options before smashing it goal wards, only for Stockdale to produce another fine stop.

But there was more… much more!

Next, Rohan Ince thought he was Tom, sending a back pass towards Stockdale which, had a pacier player than Martin looked to hunt down, would have resulted in the equaliser. Instead, the big man got there at the same time as the keeper, with the loose ball falling to Tom Ince. With an open goal, the net would surely bulge? Not so, as Dunk did superbly to get a vital block in and send the ball out for a corner.

With time running out, the final act played out.

A corner was only half-cleared, resulting in Russell looking to beat his man and deliver. He did beat the defender Greer and delivered, seemingly hurdling the Brighton skipper’s lunged challenged. However, a lunge it was and with, ‘Premier League Officials’ on the set, a penalty was given.

Martin took on the responsibility. A captain’s duty. One that, against anyone else, you would watch between your fingers. However, this was Chris Martin against Brighton, so there was only one outcome. A superbly struck penalty that Stockdale, despite going the right way, was never going to save. The skipper’s emotive response suggested he enjoyed it. Desmond.

5 added minutes. The 2nd of which saw Zamora free on the left hand side of the box and a horrible shared nightmare came flooding back to 30,000 Rams. Thankfully, there was just a corner to defend… and a few thousand boxer shorts to be cleaned following the game!

Defend we did and that was that. An intriguing contest that we certainly didn’t deserve to lose and arguably could have won.

That said, to come from behind twice against the unbeaten league leaders deserves great credit.

To come through the last 4 games with 8 points is hardly a disaster.

2 losses out of 20… perhaps this entry in the series will have a happy ending this time!

Weston’s Player Ratings:

Lee Grant — 6: No chance with either goal but solid, minus one drop.

Cyrus Christie — 6: Largely untroubled defensively but not great going forwards.

Richard Keogh — 6: Another good game.

Jason Shackell — 6: Good battle with Wilson.

Stephen Warnock — 6: A steady eddy.

George Thorne — 6: A slightly off day.

Jacob Butterfield — 7: Neat and tidy, just needs to up the tempo in my opinion.

Bradley Johnson — 6: Another not at his best. Great headed goal but a bit lethargic.

Andreas Weimann — 6:Can’t fault work rate but didn’t happen for him.

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