Away-day disappointment

Poor defending left Derby with too much to do at Bloomfield Road this evening as Blackpool came out on top after a thrilling second half to win 3-2 and claim all three points in a game that could have quite easily ended with either side on top and The Rams perhaps a touch unfortunate to not claim a point. An even first half was turned in The Seasider's favour when some shaky looking defending from the visitors allowed them to take a two goal lead into the break. A more determined looking Derby came out in the second half and Commons` beautifully curled free kick put them back in the game only for Blackpool to restore the two goal lead through Burgess with Barazite down after a heavy challenge. Mile Sterjovski saw his first action of the season and scored his first Derby goal with twenty minutes to go but despite mounting pressure The Rams were unable to find an equaliser and tasted their first defeat in eight matches.

Stephen Bywater and Claude Davies kept their places in the side with Lewin Nyatanga missing out in favour of the returning Dean Leacock and Kris Commons was fit to start on the left after his knock at the weekend. Rob Hulse picked up an early booking after a collision with Shaun Barker left both players needing treatment, they were both fine to continue and Hulse was soon involved again but he fired wide from an Ellington cross after good work from Paul Green and Kris Commons had freed the striker. Keith Southern had the first effort for the home side with a shot from 25 yards that skidded off the turf but was held comfortably by Bywater in the end.

Derby were enjoying the possession but The Seasider`s were looking to find gaps on the counter attack and Taylor-Fletcher had an effort blocked by Connolly, as the ball fell to Gow the Blackpool man wanted too long and Stewart got back to whip the ball of his toe as he took a touch before shooting. Barazite then fed Ellington at the other end but, after beating his man, the striker fired well wide of the target. Barazite then threatened himself cutting in from the left but his effort was wide of Rachubka`s near post when the youngster perhaps could have done better.

Taylor-Fletcher fired wide from the edge of the box but Blackpool took the lead minutes later through Alan Gow, a ball up to the edge of the area was contested by Davies and Vaughan with the ball breaking to Gow who finished well leaving Bywater with no chance in the Derby goal. Barazite had a chance at the other but he volleyed over from just outside the area but Derby`s defence was rocked again minutes later when Gow found space in the box to flick to Gary Taylor-Fletcher who finished after cutting in from his position wide on the right. Burgess very nearly made it three on the stroke of half-time but his shot grazed the outside of the post with Bywater beaten.

Derby came out looking to get back into the game in the second half and started strongly, Barazite went close with a curling effort and Ellington forced Rachubka into a sharp low save and The Rams hauled themselves back into the game via Kris Commons just before the hour mark. Having been fouled looking to cut inside Commons took the free-kick himself and his effort curled over Rachubka and into the net to put Derby back into the match. Commons was looking dangerous again moments later but his powerful effort from range was headed away by Edwards.

Just as they looked to pull level Derby were caught on the break by a counter attack that gave Blackpool their two goal lead back. Barazite took a heavy challenge that left the Arsenal youngster on the ground and the home side broke with Southern firing in a low cross that Burgess turned home from ten yards to restore the two goal cushion. Barazite was stretchered off with his left leg strapped and was replaced by Mile Sterjovski for the Australian`s first appearance of the season.

The Rams stepped up the pressure again and Blackpool were struggling to get out of their own half without conceding any clear cut chances and they broke to good effect with Burgess forcing Bywater into a low save to keep Derby in the game. The visitors were then handed a lifeline back into the match when a mix-up on the edge of the box between Rachubka and Coid gave Sterjovski the chance and he clipped the ball home to pull the deficit back to one goal and set up a tense finish.

Paul Jewell took off Claude Davies and introduced Tito Villa as his side went in search of an equaliser but Blackpool almost tied the game up when they broke only for Bywater to save well from Martin in a one-on-one when a square ball must surely have produced a fourth goal. Five minutes of overtime were signalled and despite Derby piling the pressure on they were unable to come up with an equaliser and they fell to their first defeat in eight matches.

Kris Commons
Almost got The Rams level in the second half and looked their biggest threat throughout, found the net for the first time in a Derby shirt and will be looking to be back to his best ready for the visit of our old friends a week on Sunday.

Derby conceded three for the first time this season but Bywater was left exposed for all three and made a number of smart saves when called upon. One of the few at the back to come out of the game with any credit, usual energy down the right. Another below par performance, gave the ball away cheaply and let his man run without challenge to often. Poor performance, caught out of position to often and looked like the Claude Davis of last season. Stood off the opposition too often and allowed Blackpool to play when coming forward. Went off with possible knee ligament damage, looked to have regained some sharpness and creativity and will be missed if he is out for a long period. Quiet game from the youngster, always a threat from set pieces and looked dangerous without quite getting on the end of any crosses. Gave his usual 100% effort but couldn`t quite create the equaliser in the dyeing moments despite his running. Looked lively going forward and battled back well when not in possession, nice goal from his free-kick. Put himself about against a physical Blackpool defence and coped well after an early booking, had a couple of half chances without forcing a save from the keeper. Worked hard and had a spark when on the ball without an end product, looks to be getting stronger with each game played. First appearance of the season, took his chance well after a mix-up on the edge of the box and may find himself back in the side with Barazite`s injury. Made an appearance when Derby were trying to find the equaliser late on, didn`t find his feet in the game. Paul Jewell will be disappointed with the defending but there were still positives from this match as the work rate and effort were again on show and The Rams nearly dragged themselves back into the game from two goals down. The injuries are starting to build up and Nacer Barazite will be missed if his injury is confirmed as ligament damage as suspected although Mile Sterjovski looked to stake his claim with a goal in his first appearance of the season.

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco