Tigers Leave With The Points

Derby County lost 2-1 to Hull City at Pride Park as Steve Bruce`s side continued their recent run of form. The Rams kept the same shape that saw them collect their third away win of the season at Ashton Gate as they looked to take control in midfield and they started brightly without forcing a meaningful save out of Eldin Jakupovic in the visitors` goal. Hull took the lead with their first attack when Robert Koren converted a Stephen Quinn cross and they were under pressure for the rest of the half until Michael Jacobs volleyed home from the edge of the area on the stroke of halftime to level the scores. Abdoulaye Faye scored a soft goal from Derby`s view to put his side back in front when he headed home from a corner five minutes into the second half and despite being under pressure for long spells they held out to take the victory.

James O`Connor came in for the unwell Mark O`Brien in the only change to the side with The Rams lining up with only Conor Sammon up front. Derby started with their usual high tempo to take the game to their visitors and Michael Jacobs fired in a freekick from the left edge of the penalty area but the ball was headed behind for corner from his cross-shot. Jeff Hendrick was next to threaten after swapping passes with Will Hughes but he tackled just as he looked set to shoot from the edge of the area.

Despite dominating possession The Rams were not creating a large number of chances and they fell behind to Hull`s first attack of purpose of the half on twenty-five. Despite shouts for the ball being out of play Stephen Quinn was released down the left and his low cross picked out Robert Koren who finished low past Adam Legzdins with Jay Simpson stood in an offside position right next to the goalkeeper. Derby tried to get straight back into the match with shots from outside the area from Craig Bryson and Hughes not troubling Eldin Jakupovic in the Hull goal.

Sammon fizzed a cross across the face of goal that was too far in front of Hendrick and Jacobs` overhit cross nearly caught out the visitor`s keeper but he got back to tip the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner The Rams found a way back into the game when Abdoulaye Faye couldn`t get enough on his headed clearance and Jacobs took a touch before rifling home a volley from twenty yards to put his side level in added on time.

Hull started the second half the brighter of the two sides and they the lead again five minutes in when Faye was not picked up from a corner and he headed in at the far post from a Robbie Brady corner. Derby were next to threaten although Jacobs freekick from twenty yards was straight at Jakupovic and Paul Coutts then forced the keeper into a fall length save after cutting in from the right and hitting a curling effort with his left foot. John Brayford had a shot from inside the area blocked and another cross-shot deflected behind for the corner but Hull showed why they have been on such a fine recently with some resolute defending to take all three points and lift themselves level with Cardiff City at the top of the Championship table.

Derby County: Legzdins; Brayford, Keogh, O`Connor, Roberts (Davies 87); Coutts, Hendrick, Bryson, Hughes, Jacobs (Robinson 78); Sammon.

Subs Not Used: Fielding, Gjokaj, Freeman, Tyson, O`Brien.

Hull City: Jakupovic; Chester, Hobbs, Faye; Elmohamady, Quinn, Evans, Koren (Cairney 90), Meyler, Brady; Simpson (Proschwitz 76).

Subs Not Used: Amos, Rosenior, McLean, McShane, Ojofinjana.

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