Following Steve McClaren’s re-appointment yesterday, dcfc.co.uk has reflected back on five of Derby County’s finest moments under his previous tenure between September 2013 and May 2015…
DERBY COUNTY 5-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Saturday 22 March, 2014
There’s only one place to start and it is arguably Steve McClaren’s greatest moment in his first season back at Derby.
Without a win in four games, the Rams welcomed local rivals Nottingham Forest to the iPro Stadium in March 2014, but what unfolded on this historic day is thought of as the club’s standout result in recent years.
It was a one-sided East Midlands derby, one that was decided in emphatic fashion by a rampant Derby County, who put five past their local rivals without reply to record an impressive and historic win – a demonstration of just what McClaren’s Derby side were all about.
The Rams had not scored either in their previous four outings, but goals from Jeff Hendrick, Johnny Russell, and a Craig Bryson hat-trick sealed a memorable victory and delighted the delirious home supporters.
View the best bits from that fixture back in March 2014 on our official YouTube channel now:
DERBY COUNTY 4-1 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg)
Sunday 11 May, 2014
With the end of that magical season in sight, Derby entered the play-offs in full flow, oozing confidence and whilst it did not end how many thought it would, or even should, their showing in the Play-Off Semi-Final second leg was captivating, clinical and thoroughly brilliant.
Derby County made light work of their play-off semi-final opponents, Brighton, comfortably beating them 4-1 at the iPro Stadium to make it 6-2 on aggregate and secure a place in the final at Wembley for the second time in six years.
Derby had to work hard for their 1-2 victory in Brighton on Thursday night, but found life much easier in the second leg, comfortably sweeping aside the visitors, to record an impressive win.
Started by Will Hughes’ superb flick, Chris Martin, George Thorne and Jeff Hendrick added further goals to punctuate a clinical Rams’ performance, sending them into the London showpiece bang in form – Kazenga Lua Lua’s late effort little more than a consolation for the Seagulls.
McClaren went on to label his side's display as awesome: "It is a great achievement by the players. We did not perform as we can on Thursday but they were awesome today, wearing Brighton down with their energy, enthusiasm and bringing the end product as well.”
View the best bits from that Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg on our official YouTube channel now:
DERBY COUNTY 5-1 FULHAM
Saturday 23 August, 2014
After going under the radar during the first few games of the 2014/15 season, McClaren’s Derby showed they were still possessed attacking quality in abundance as they tore apart a newly relegated Fulham side.
On the back of a defeat at Charlton Athletic, the Rams bounced back and responded with a 5-1 victory over the Cottagers.
Jamie Ward scored his third goal in five days after converting Johnny Russell’s cross from the right in a closely fought first-half, before Fulham fought back and Scott Parker levelled matters early in the second-half.
Derby responded within minutes as Craig Bryson tapped in to kick start a clinical spell as Chris Martin rifled in an effort only moments later, and after holding Fulham at arm’s length, the Rams turned on their attacking qualities in the dying embers of the game, as Martin and substitute Simon Dawkins added further goals.
View the best bits from that fixture back in August 2014 on our official YouTube channel now:
FULHAM 2-5 DERBY COUNTY
Tuesday 28 October, 2014
Familiar opponents brought out a similar performance from Steve McClaren’s Derby County as Fulham were on the end of a scintillating second half attacking display in the League Cup.
Two goals down in a bruising first half at Craven Cottage, the Rams responded how they so often did under McClaren. They could never be ruled out.
Chris Martin struck first, converting a penalty, to go into the half time interval a goal down, but the second half was one the other foot.
In heavy contrast to the first 45 minutes, Derby were brilliant, devastating according to McClaren as they ran riot in the second as Simon Dawkins scored a superb brace whilst Jeff Hendrick and Johnny Russell added further goals as Derby clinched their spot in the last eight.
View the best bits from that fixture back in October 2014 on our official YouTube channel now:
DERBY COUNTY 5-0 WOLVES
Saturday 8 November, 2014
It was a day of remembrance. Remembering our fallen heroes, the men and women that fought for our nation, our families and King and Queen in the Great War that got this particular meeting underway.
In the pouring rain, Derby County marked the day by producing a master class as they knocked Wolves for five to signal a great deal of intent, once again, under Steve McClaren.
Jeff Hendrick and Johnny Russell both recorded braces after Ryan Shotton opened the scoring to give the Rams the biggest victory of the 2014/15 season and arguably their most enthralling.
It was a performance that left McClaren beaming: "I don't often sit there and enjoy the full aspects of games but today I did.
"The team worked so hard even at 5-0 up and the key thing was the discipline they showed and looking a good team without the ball.
"It was a game we controlled by being a good team without the ball and that's what really pleased me.”
View the best bits from that fixture back in August 2014 on our official YouTube channel now:
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