Brighton 2-1 Derby

Derby manager made one change from the side that beat Tranmere in the FA Cup last week. He brought in Keiron Freeman at the expense of Michael Jacobs.

Freeman started at right back with Brayford moving into an unusual midfield role.

It didn't take long for Gus Poyet's side to state their intentions. With less than two minutes gone on the clock, a cross from Davids found Barnes who nipped the ball in past Legzdins.

Derby had their first real attack after eight minutes when some good play from Sammon saw him find Davies who's shot was blocked.

Will Buckley denied Sammon a shot after twenty four minutes when the Derby striker had nipped in behind the Brighton defence.

Just a minute later, Orlandi met a Calderon cross to make it 2-0.

From there on it was obvious that the Rams would face an uphill struggle to get back in the game and things weren't to get any easier when Hughes limped off after forty five minutes to be replaced by Jamie Ward.

The second half started pretty much as the first finished with the home side setting the pace!

Derby's first real chance coming after fifty two minutes when Ward's longe range effort just went over the bar.

Brighton might have gone 3-0 up minutes later but no one was there to meet Buckley's cross.

Just before the hour mark, Buckley found himself with only Legzdins to beat, but the Derby keeper made a fine save to deny him.

Minutes later Orlandi had a chance denied first by Legzdins and then Coutts who cleared off the line.

Derby improved as the second half progressed having plenty of possession but yet again were unable to capitalise.

They did however manage to pull a goal back when in the seventieth minute Jeff Hendrick managed to find the net after a Jamie Ward free kick.

Despite this an equaliser never came and Brighton deservedly took all three points.


Derby County: Legzdins; Freeman (Jacobs 61), Keogh, O'Brien (Robinson 86), Roberts; Brayford, Coutts, Hendrick, Hughes (Ward 44), Davies; Sammon.

Subs Not Used: Fielding, O'Connor, Tyson, Bennett.

Brighton: Kuszczak, Calderon Greer, El-Abd, Bridge; Bridcutt, Hammond, Lopez (Crofts 87); Orlandi (Dicker 76), Buckley (LuaLua 76), Barnes.

Subs Not Used: Ankergren, Dunk, Vicente, Hoskins.


Man of the match - Will Buckley

Attendance - 25,464 ( 1,173 Away fans)