It's snow go for the Rams as Derby blow two guilt edged chances to leave the Riverside with a point.
"That's Why We're Going Down" sang the Derby Faithful as Rob Earnshaw nodded nonchalantly wide from six yards out. Ghaly's superb flighted ball found Lewis running into the box, only for the American to head across the goal when he could have scored, wide enough indeed for Todd to reach the touchline and chip the ball perfectly for Earnshaw totally unmarked to head wide.
"That's Why We're Going Down" as Miller unleashed a shot from the edge of the box which wouldn't have troubled the Garmin Pre Match Mascot had he been in goal rather than Schwarzer. It was on target but would have failed to warm the keeper's hands on a bitterly cold day in Teesside.
This after Middlesborough had taken the lead on thirty one minutes. A routine ball out to the Boro's left wing, Todd full back fails to engage, Moore comes over leaving a man in the centre. Todd, needed behind to cover is slow to react, ball passed inside where Todd should have been to cut the ball out - result open run at goal and Tuncay slips the ball past Carroll on the right hand post. One nil and avoidable.
Add a brilliant save by Carroll tipping a pile driver from Boateng over the bar.
Picture Savage dashing across the goal line to pinch the ball off a Boro's strikers foot to stop a simple tap in.
Factor in a gale force wind which closed part of the South Stand where the visiting fans should have been sitting. A power failure the cause given as the announcer thanked the home fans for their understanding in having to be moved. The fact they could, testament to the difference between a crowd of 25,000 to 32,000 in an almost identical stadium.
Consider the officially dirtiest team in the Premiership only getting two yellow cards, Lee Cattermole for umpteen and one fouls and Tuncay for falling to the floor once two often. As we pick up one for a tackle by Savage which was similar to Pogatetz's earlier challenge. All standard fare when you have Mr Atkinson in charge, although I suspect that Boro fans will feel just as unhappy as two penalty appeals were turned down.
Stir in a five minute spell when the Rams orchestrated by substitute Ghaly actually played the Boro off the park.
Chuck in the odd blizzard giving calls for bringing out the Orange Ball.
Then finally add the comments of a Boro fan as we leave the Riverside "I can't believe they missed them two sitters, we were lucky to win in the end". Sums it all up really.
Player ratings:
Carroll 8 - Fantastic save from Boateng, a performance that inspired confidence.
Todd 4 - At fault for the goal, looked out of his depth all afternoon apart from his last minute cross to Earnshaw.
Moore 6 - Big Darren whole hearted as usual. Loved the cry of "Shoot" when he had the ball in the second half.
Leacock 6 - A solid performance, good distribution forward.
McEveley 7 - Got forward well, full of running, one of Jay's better games.
Sterjovski 6 - Hard working not quite adjusted to the pace of the Premiership, struggled with an injury.
Savage 6 - Another carrying a knock. The cry of "There's Only One Robbie Savage" indicates he is winning some of his personal battles with the fans.
Jones 7 - Seems a different player than under Davies, more confidence, doesn't shy away from tackles and has creativity in his boots, a good performance.
Lewis 5 - For effort, whips in crosses which Fagan would have been anguished about though.
Earnshaw 6 - Little service but the Welshman is at last working hard, he should have buried the header and I suspect he doesn't need me to tell him either.
Miller 5 - Deceives to flatter.
Subs:
Villa 6 - Needs balls to his feet and we don't provide.
Pearson 5 - Subdued match for the Scotlander.
Ghaly 7 - Instrumental in helping Derby to play the ball on the deck, looking for short quick passes, no coincidence that the Rams' best spell came with Hossam on the park and his pick out of Lewis should have been worth a point.
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