Nigel Clough made one change to the Derby side, with Jeff Hendrick dropping to the bench and Michael Jacobs called up for a rare start. It proved to be an inspired switch as Jacobs was to have an excellent game.
Despite The Rams starting quickly, it was the visitors who had the first attempt on goal after four minutes when Mullins saw his effort fail to test Adam Legzdins.
Derby dominated the first half, however they failed to capitalise despite having the Lions share of possession. Theo Robinson saw three attempts fail and Jack Butland was there to stop every Derby attack. Derby continued to be frustrated until just after the half hour mark. Then Michael Jacobs came through from the left and saw a shot crash against Butland's right hand post. Conor Sammon then found the rebound with his head to open the scoring. Looking back at the replay, Sammon did appear to be offside although the flag stayed down.
After 43 minutes the Rams had a shout for a penalty denied when Jacobs went down in the box and he also found himself booked for diving.
Birmingham made more of an effort in the second half. Starting better than in the first, but were often left frustrated by Derby's defence.
Theo Robinson wasted a golden opportunity for Derby when he knocked one over the bar with only the keeper to beat. Will Hughes also brought a good save from Butland when he tried his luck from the edge of the box.
Birmingham levelled after 72 minutes when Richard Keogh brought Hall down. Marlon King converted the resulting spot kick. Moments later, King also saw an effort strike the Rams crossbar.
Derby regained the lead after eighty minutes when Sammon hit the ball beyond the reach of Butland to get his second of the game, but the Blues responded when Lovenkrands glanced a header in two minutes later.
The deciding goal came in the 84th minute when Jacobs played the ball across the box for Tyson to slide in and get the vital touch to send the ball into the net.
A very entertaining game for the TV cameras and Derby for once having some luck. The Rams now face two very difficult looking fixtures. On Wednesday night they host table topping Cardiff and then have a very tricky looking visit to the KP Stadium, Leicester.
Derby - Legzdins, Brayford, Keogh, Buxton, Roberts; Coutts, Bryson, Hughes (Hendrick 90), Jacobs (O’Brien 90); T Robinson (Tyson 72), Sammon. Subs Not Used: Fielding, O'Connor, Freeman, Bennett.
Birmingham - Butland, Spector, Caldwell, Davies, P Robinson; Burke (Hall 60), Mullins, Morrison, Elliott (Lovenkrands 68); Zigic, King. Subs Not Used: Doyle, Ibanez, Diop, Hancox, Reilly.
Man of the Match - Michael Jacobs, two assists and a constant threat down the left.
Attendance: 21,505 (1,571 Away fans).
No comments:
Post a Comment