The Rams came up against a confident team who are pushing for a top six birth and could offer little genuine resistance in a match they could never get a hold of.
D.Sheldrake
Crowd:
18,412
The Teams:
Derby County:
Fielding (GK); Naylor, Buxton, Shackell, Roberts; Green, Hendrick, Bailey (Carroll 66); Tyson (B. Davies 68), Robinson, S. Davies (Ball 80).
Unused Substitutes: Severn (GK), Connolly.
Brighton and Hove Albion:
Brezovan (GK); Calderon, Greer, Dunk, Mattock; Bridcutt, Navarro, Vicente (Razak 82), Lua Lua (Noone 80); Barnes, Vokes (Mackail-Smith 60).
Unused Substitutes: Ankergren (GK), Vincelot.
Match Stats: Brighton - Derby
Possession: 64% - 36%
Shots On Target: 8 - 4
Shots Off Target: 1 - 7
Corners: 8 - 7
Fouls: 9 - 18
Most Fouls: Barnes (2) Green (5)
Match Summary:
Former Valencia star Vicente tore the Rams to pieces as he created the chances for Calderon and Barnes that left the Rams two goals down on the ledger.
James Bailey came in for Craig Bryson and the Rams definitely missed their hard working midfielder. Nathan Tyson and Steven Davies were also grafted into the front half as Nigel set up with an attacking 4-3-3 formation.
The Rams went behind on 9 minutes when Calderon got on the end of a well directed corner from Vicente.
The Rams tried to respond over the course of the half but spent more time defending than attacking. The best of the chances fell to Bailey who fired an effort wide, Tyson who hit hard but hit straight at Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan and Steve Davies who dragged his shot wide after some good work from his team mates.
Early in the second half Vicente was still terrorising the Rams and tested Frank Fielding early.
Jake sent headers over the bar on two occasions from corners and Paul Green headed a good cross from Robinson centimetres wide.
Unfortunately the Rams good work went to waste when instead of equalising they went further behind.
Vicente pushed forward and found LuaLua, who provided an inch perfect pass for Barnes to finish and make the scoreline 2-0.
Derby didn’t stop trying to trouble the scoresheet with Hendrick being mugged by the Seagulls keeper after finding himself one on one, while Callum Ball headed his chance wider after being gifted a free header.
Brighton was the better team but the Rams did not disgrace themselves.
Unfortunately spirit and fight does not earn any points.
Official Match Reports:
Manager’s Reaction:
Nigel was pleased with his team’s effort but felt they could have done better:
"I thought we were marginally beaten by the better side - with the difference coming in the two penalty areas. Sometimes the things that go on in-between there during the game can be irrelevant, but if you don't defend in your penalty area - as we didn't at times - and don't take your chances, you won't get anything."
"We set up to have a go with a 4-3-3 formation and we started well, but then you can't legislate for someone losing their man at a corner and before we knew it we were 1-0 down."
"We had numerous chances and we started really well in the second half, but it was like a few weeks ago and we didn't get a break in the box.
"If we had got one, I think it would have made Brighton a bit nervy - but we couldn't take advantage of those opportunities."
"We've had a busy few weeks with three midweek games in a row, so we've got a few tired legs in the squad and it'll be nice to have a free week next week."
"We're back at Pride Park on Saturday against Crystal Palace and we're looking forward to it."