3/1 To Win
Derby County fell to a 1-0 defeat against Rotherham United at the AEESEAL New York Stadium in an ugly meeting between the sides.
Tom Lawrence and Frank Lampard were shown second-half red cards as the referee’s calls continued to go against the Rams.
Ryan Manning scored from the spot after Scott Carson was adjudged to have made a foul as he jumped in to make a routine catch as a cross swept across the goal.
Despite being a player and the manager down, the Rams remained within the game and pushing for a way back until the final whistle.
Derby were welcomed to New York Stadium by an organised Rotherham side that showed plenty of bravery in the first half to get forward and take a chance.
Within the first five minutes they showed that as Kyle Vassell looked to make his way through in the box. Jayden Bogle, in his first game back from picking up an injury against Preston North End, did well to keep him at bay before Scott Carson dived down to extinguish the threat.
The Rams meanwhile were a little slower to get started following the international break though showed signs of their fine form that lead to four consecutive victories in the lead up. For the opening 20 minutes they remained quiet on the attack while Carson was able to rely on both Richard Keogh and Craig Forsyth to make important clearances.
Derby also caught a lucky break when a shot by Michael Smith glanced just wide after a deflection fell nicely to him just inside the box.
The Rams’ composure remained intact and allowed them to create some good chances midway through the half. Mason Mount, fresh from his superb England Under-21 debut, supplied a fine pass to Bogle, but Tom Lawrence wasn’t able to connect to his cross.
Tom Huddlestone’s presence in the midfield was known as he made his first league start of the season. He also offered the Rams’ best chance of the half with a stunning long-range effort fired straight to the top right corner, but Marek Rodak did equally well with his dive to palm it away.
The Millers continued to respond on the attack. Richie Towell forced Carson to tip over his shot from the left edge of the box from the corner minutes before Smith was just wide after connecting to Ryan Williams’ header with a half-volley.
Lawrence had the final chance of the half as he danced his way into the box after a quick free-kick pass from Bradley Johnson, but his close shot from a tight angle was saved.
Derby looked bright to start the second-half with Jozefzoon almost breaking the deadlock when but his header from Mount’s free-kick was directed wide. Vassall called Carson into action not long after but the Rams ‘keeper got a strong hand on it to palm it away.
It didn’t take long for tempers to flare as a moderately calm game turned feisty, and for Derby very frustrating. Lawrence was sent off just before the hour mark. He went in for a challenge against Towell in front of the dugout that caused both sides to clash. Lawrence was shown the red whilst Towell only recived a yellow.
The frustration only continued as the Millers were awarded a spot kick after Carson jumps into collect a cross. Manning converted the penalty to put the home side ahead.
The referee calls were seemingly not falling in the Rams’ favour as Mason Bennett who had just come off the bench was fouled but the nasty challenge by Joe Mattock only received a yellow card.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, the Rams kept fighting with Bogle and Mount working together to look for an opening. In their efforts, they earned a free-kick on the edge of the box but before it was taken, Frank Lampard was shown a red card as the referee’s calls continued to go against the Rams.
The Derby boss was furious after a foul on Bogle on he edge of the box.
With seven minutes of added time, Derby refused to give in and Bennett continued to show his impact off the bench as did Jack Marriott who fired in one final cross that Rodak managed to grab.
WHO IMPRESSED...
Jayden Bogle exemplified the work ethic that Frank Lampard demands from his players and his return from injury showed the 18-year-old is certainly well equipped to challenge in senior football.
The full-back covered the pitch and alongside Mason Mount continually created chances for the Rams whilst also being aggressive on defence.
UP NEXT…
The Rams return to Pride Park Stadium for a Sky Bet Championship home double-header starting with Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday (kick-off: 7:45pm) before hosting Brentford on Saturday (kick-off: 3pm)
Rotherham United: Rodak; Vyner, Ajayi, Wood (C), Mattock; Vaulks, Towell (Palmer, 86), Manning; Williams, Smith (Proctor, 78), Vassell (Taylor, 71)
Unused Substitutes: Price, Forde, Wiles, Jones
Derby County: Carson; Bogle, Keogh (C), Tomori, Forsyth; Huddlestone (Holmes, 73), Johnson, Mount; Jozefzoon, (Bennett, 64), Waghorn (Marriott, 64), Lawrence
Unused Substitutes: Roos, Wisdom, Ledley, Malone
