Derby County   vs   Newcastle United

 

This massive PMF Cup fixture, postponed from the previous weekend, saw Derby host Newcastle.  Although the pitch was extremely cut up and muddy, it was just fit for play according to the referees, and an almost-full Pride Park saw their home side run on for their biggest game of the season.  It was to be a big game as the Rams hosted their illustrious Division 1 rivals, and a big managerial opposition too, the big personalities of Damian Rix vs Sigfried Moeri going head-to-head.

 

The match, as expected, began extremely slowly as the players struggled to come to grips with the shoddy surface.  Chances were at a premium as passing became virtually impossible, the first falling in the 27th minute when Muzzy Izzet took a snapshot from 25 yards out.  Shay Given mishandled, but nobody was following through for the Rams.

 

Newcastle began to assert themselves into the game, and in the 40th minute produced two prime chances to score.  The first fell to new boy Frank de Boer, who headed over from close range from a curving Laurent Robert corner, and then the out-of-form Emile Heskey burying a low shot wide.

The last spell of news from the first half was an unforunate injury to Michael Carrick, the former West Ham star fell funny as he rose for a header, and left the pitch hobbling.

 

Half time saw attempts to dry some parts of the pitch, but it was to no avail as the match conditions became worse.  Twice the match was stopped as players continued to slide over the surface, but referee McDurkin was doing a great job to keep things calm. 

 

Newcastle continued to dominate the match, with their opponents too intent on pushing forward too quickly, and Alan Shearer came close with a free kick.  Mart Poom punched away the effort with a fine save, though.

 

The hour mark saw Rix bring on Quinton Fortune and Niclas Alexandersson on, and within minutes Fortune had made an impact when he had Jamie Carragher dismissed for his second bookable offence.  Moeri looked angry as the late callup to the squad to replace Claudio Reyna trudged off the pitch.

 

Moeri sent on Rushfeldt for Shearer, but the move didn't work, as the match seemed to move towards extra time.  But the game was turned on its head just seconds from full time when Derby produced a stunning goal.  Izzet won a free kick 30 yards out and, with the rain driving down, he and former Newcastle star Nolberto Solano stood over the ball.  Within five seconds, the match was over.  Solano had stood up to the ball and swerved an unstoppable drive into the top left corner of the net, and he celebrated by running towards his former manager and celebrating wildly with his team mates.

 

McDurkin soon ended the game, and the shock of the tournament had occurred.  Rix was delighted, sprinting onto the pitch and wildly celebrating with his team, and as they went around the pitch drenched in sweat, mud and rain, they had done it - Derby were in the semi-finals!  For Moeri though, it's tough luck, these were tough conditions to travel to. And Moeri will now have to set his sites entirely on league honours.

 

Derby County   1-0   Newcastle United

 

Derby County Squad: Mart Poom 7, Lee Dixon 6, Laurent Blanc 7, Matei Mirel Radoi 7, Gilles Grimandi 7, Lauren 7, Roberto Palacios 6 (Quinton Fortune 7), Nolberto Solano 7, Muzzy Izzet 8, Bernard Diomede 6 (Niclas Alexandersson 6), Fabrizio Ravanelli © 6.

Subs Not Used: Richard Kingston, Igors Stepanovs, Slavisa Jokanovic.

 

Scorers: Solano '89.

Injuries: None.

Bookings: Dixon, Diomede.

Sendings Off: None.

 

Newcastle United Squad: Shay Given 6, Abel Xavier 6, John Arne Riise 7, Stephane Henchoz © 7, Frank de Boer 7, Michael Carrick 6 (inj.) (Craig Bellamy 6), Jamie Carragher 5 (sent off), Sean Davis 6, Alan Shearer 7 (Sigurd Rushfeldt 6), Emile Heskey 5, Laurent Robert 6.

Subs Not Used: Maik Taylor, Ole Tobiasen, Tobias Linderoth.

 

Scorers: None.

Injuries: Carrick (twisted ankle - 8th March).

Bookings: de Boer, Robert, Carragher.

Sendings Off: Carragher.

 

Match Stats

Shots On Target: Derby County 2-3 Newcastle United

Shots Off Target: 4-5

Fouls Committed: 26-25

Corners: 0-1

Offsides: 2-1

Possession: 54%-46%

Attendance: 32,902 @ Pride Park, Derby

Referee: Paul McDurkin (Stranraer) - 9/10.

 

Man of the Match: Muzzy Izzet - in a very tough game for both sets of players, this contender for player of the season was a shining beacon.  A great performance by the former Leicester star.