Deserving of a point the Rams leave Goodison with nothing as former Derby loan star Leon Osman's goal separates two evenly matched teams.

Everton, self styled "The People's Club". Visions of working men and women scouring down on wealthy neighbours. The Bullens Road Stand reminiscent of the Baseball Ground. Queues for loos. Chang Beer from Thailand at Premier Lager prices a sick joke never mind an acquired taste. Tasty Steak Pies with an odd tang, preservative, bromide who knows, not unpleasant just strange.

Teams announced and a good reception for Osman and Carsley from those travelling.

On the pitch and Derby should be dead and buried. They aren't. We match the Toffee's perfectly no difference between fifth and fifteen places lower. Goodison Park though is silent as a morgue apart from the visiting fans.

Yakubu turns Moore, two bruisers parted and the blue shirted one receives the perfect pass three yards out. Thirty rows back catch the ball in disgust.

Todd is booked then Neville the later raising a cheer in the Rams end. Like Savage, some players you just have to hate.

Shouts of Racism from behind the goal as dead rats are sung about. Strangely nothing later about Yids.
Stewards exhibit 1940's German style charm as fans are thrown out for standing up and exchanging banter.

Derby come close, Howard a natural for Ireland shames he's English make a couple of fine saves but exhibits the kicking prowess of Price.

Half time and the Rams are applauded off whilst Everton are booed back to the changing room.

Second half and the game opens up. Sterjovski who had played well is replaced by Mears takes up the right wing slot. It weakens Derby.

Meanwhile a hail storm adds iced coffee to the range of drinks available.

Ghaly who was superb going forward is bypassed by Fernandes who picks out Osman sprinting between Moore and Leacock. Leon lashes the ball past Carroll and the Toffees lead one nil after 56 minutes.

A dummy by Miller gifts Villa a one on one with Howard. A weak shot at the keepers legs the disappointing outcome. A golden chance turned to base metal.

We continue to press. Ball played to feet. Ghaly a one man band beating everybody only his shooting letting him down.

Carroll made a couple of fine saves to keep the Rams in with a chance of a point.

Then it's all over. Another defeat. The goal apart it was impossible to separate the two teams in quality and effort. It's a shame it's taken 33 games to say that.

Oh and one final thing, if any Derby players are reading this (Robbie Savage and Darren Moore excepted) - at the end guys show your appreciation of YOUR fans as well as the opponent's.

Everton (4-4-2): T Howard, P Neville, J Yobo, J Lescott , L Baines, M Arteta (sub: N Valente, 90min), L Carsley, M Fernandes (sub: P Jagielka, 77), L Osman, A Johnson, Yakubu Ayegbeni (sub: V Anichebe, 73).
Subs not used: S Wessels, T Gravesen.
Booked: Neville.

Derby County (4-4-2): R Carroll 7 - A Todd 6, D Moore 6, D Leacock 6, E Lewis 6, M Sterjovski 6 (sub: T Mears, 51 5), R Savage 6, H Ghaly 8, D Jones 6 - K Miller 5, E Villa 5.
Subs not used: L Price, J McEveley, R Earnshaw, B Feilhaber.
Booked: Todd, Ghaly, Savage.

Referee: A Marriner 7.

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Photo: Action Images

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