3/1 To Win
Matej Vydra scored his 17th league goal of the season but James Maddison’s penalty meant that Derby County had to settle for a point against Norwich City at Pride Park Stadium.
Vydra’s stunning finish gave Gary Rowett’s side the lead after just 12 minutes, but it took a penalty save from the brilliant Scott Carson to keep Derby in front at half-time.
After the break, another spot-kick was awarded and Maddison made no mistake to level the scores.
Tom Lawrence and Ikechi Anya switched roles after last weekend’s win against Brentford, with the Welshman coming in from the left whilst the Scot started wide-right.
Lawrence had the first attempt of the game when his effort from just outside the area was deflected wide after good work down the flank.
Derby were let off the hook after nine minutes as Nelson Oliveira robbed Curtis Davies in possession, but the striker’s effort was tame and kept out comfortably by Carson.
That miss looked even more crucial just moments later, as Vydra and Anya exchanged passes before the Sky Bet Championship’s top scorer turned and finished beautifully with his left foot to give Derby the lead.
Maddison was lively and he tested Carson midway through the half, and the pair came face to face again seven minutes before the break.
The attacking midfielder ran in behind and was brought down by the Rams’ No.1, and after referee Jeremy Simpson consulted his assistant, he gave the penalty.
Not for the first time this season, Carson produced a sensational piece of goalkeeping to keep out Oliveira’s spot-kick and preserve Derby’s lead going into half-time.
The Portuguese striker went about making amends straight after the break, bending an effort just wide, before he forced another fine stop from Carson.
With the game moving into the last 20 minutes, Oliveira finally made his influence tell when he was brought down inside the area, and although Moritz Leitner fired in at the near post, the referee pulled play back to award another penalty.
Maddison took responsibility this time and he sent Carson the wrong way to equalise.
Rowett summoned Kasey Palmer and Andreas Weimann from the bench immediately after the goal to try and regain control and inject some attacking impetus, but chances were at a premium.
Although Derby will be disappointed not to have won, a share of the points extends the unbeaten run to 12 games.
Derby County: Carson; Wisdom, Keogh, Davies, Olsson; Huddlestone, Thorne; Lawrence (Palmer, 73’), Vydra (Weimann, 73’), Anya; Jerome.
Substitutes not used: Roos, Baird, Ledley, Nugent.
Norwich City: Gunn; Hanley, Zimmermann, Klose; Reed, Tettey, Leitner, Lewis; Maddison (Stipermann, 90’); Murphy (Srbeny, 87’), Oliveira (Hernandez, 90’).
Substitutes not used: McGovern, Pinto, Vrancic, Watkins.
Major Moment…
Carson looked unstoppable for most the afternoon but even the Derby ‘keeper couldn’t complete the heroic task of saving two penalties in the same game.
The second came around in curious circumstances, as the ball was in the net by the time that the referee had pointed to the spot, and Maddison – who had a good game – slotted home calmly to end Derby’s run of clean sheets.
Who Impressed…
For the Rams’ last two games, Huddlestone has been the standout performer and he was same here, especially in the first period when he dictated the flow of the game with his range of passing and vision.
His influence waned as Norwich took control after the hour mark, but he still provided a crucial shield in front of the back four.
What’s Next…
Next up for Derby is the rearranged fixture with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Tuesday (13th February), before the home game against Leeds United the following Wednesday (21st February).
