Derby County 3 Middlesbrough 1
Sep 29 2010 The Journal
MIDDLESBROUGH’S travel sickness struck again with a vengeance as they let slip a lead and plunged to a 3-1 defeat at Derby – their fourth on the bounce on the road.
What is more alarming is that Gordon Strachan’s fragile side shipped three goals in 15 minutes for the third away game running.
But for good saves from Jason Steele and a missed penalty, it could have been far worse.
Boro worked hard to get a grip of the game and went ahead through Kris Boyd but when Derby started to pile on the pressure the team wilted once more.
Boro had some good early openings as Gary O’Neil sent a 25-yard effort flying wide then on six minutes Bailey barged through two challenges to win a cornner on the left for David Wheater to charge in and connect with Robson’s flag-kick and send a header just over the bar.
Derby won a free-kick 32 yards out on 11 minutes after Mickael Tavares fouled Commons but the dead-ball was slammed straight into the wall.
Derby almost broke through on 18 minutes as they won a free-kick 30 yards out on 18 minutes when a quick break found Commons and as he turned, Wheater sent him sprawling. But from Savage’s well-struck free-kick, keeper Jason Steele went full length to save.
Yet Boro took the lead against the run of play on 20 minutes. McMahon played the ball down the right for Robson. He whipped the cross in and Boyd powered home a six-yard header.
Derby should have levelled almost immediately as they won a penalty. Julio Arca played a horrific back pass into the box and as Kuqi chased onto it, Steele had to come out and tackle. As the Derby striker went tumbling the referee immediately pointed to the spot and showed the keeper a yellow card.
Commons’ penalty effort was weak and low and straight at Steele who got down to block, and when the rebound rolled kindly for the kicker he failed to control and ran the ball out for a goal-kick. Boro went close again on 28 minutes. After a quick passing move, Lita flicked on for Bailey in space on the edge of the box but his shot under pressure whistled wide.
