3/1 To Win
Tom Huddlestone finally ended his long wait for his first Derby County goal this afternoon – and it came at a price for three members of the Rams’ backroom team.
The midfielder scored from close-range to open the scoring in the Rams’ 3-0 victory against Brentford at Pride Park Stadium.
Cameron Jerome and Matej Vydra added further goals against the ten men Bees, following Sergio Canos’ early dismissal, to ensure Derby retained second place in the Sky Bet Championship.
In his second spell with the Rams, Huddlestone’s first goal came in his 125th outing for the club – a mere 5,292 days after his first appearance for the club back in 2003.
The 31-year-old has had a long running bet with Club Doctor Amit Pannu, Head Physiotherapist Robin Sadler and Player Support Officer Adam Storer and, after finally breaking his duck, they now have to accept a forfeit.
Huddlestone told RamsTV after the game: “It’s pleasing to get that first goal but a bit of a strange one too as I didn’t envisage it being from a few yards out!
“I was meant to be on the edge of the box but once they had a man sent off I opted to get in the area and stay around the goalkeeper in case of a loose ball or something like that. It was relatively easy to score and then I just ran off celebrating!
“I actually had a bet with a few of the staff recently. Our club doctor (Amit Pannu) has got to shave his head now I’ve got a goal and if I didn’t score this season he was allowed to pick my hairstyle.
“Robin Sadler (Head Physiotherapist) has to whip his beard off now and Adam Storer (Player Support Officer) needs to shave his head; so I’ve got three for the price of one there!”
Huddlestone felt his strike, which was swiftly followed by Jerome’s first goal since his January switch from Norwich City, helped settled the nerves after Canos’ dismissal for a challenge on Marcus Olsson.
After back-to-back goalless draws against Bristol City and Millwall ahead of the meeting with Dean Smith’s side, the former England international felt it was important for the Rams to back up those results.
He said: “The two goals so soon after the red card settled everyone’s nerves as it can be difficult to play against ten men at times.
“I think the red card and the two goals killed the game as a spectacle really.
“For us, though, it’s about winning games, scoring goals and getting clean sheets. After back-to-back draws it was nice to back them up with a good win today.
“It’s on our own hands and we just have to keep doing what we’re doing. There’s plenty of games to go and we still need to play all of the teams around us.
“There will be plenty of twists and turns this season but we are in a good position. Another game unbeaten today is great for the confidence.”
