AGE ATTACK
Lamps raps Jack KO
DERBY boss Frank Lampard claimed George Saville should have been sent off as his side dropped more vital points.
Referee Robert Jones decided only to book Middlesbrough midfielder Saville for his foul on Jack Marriott just before half-time.
But Lampard felt the punishment should have been more severe.
He said: “It felt like a red card to me. It was a dangerous tackle. They slightly got away with that one. It looked like a red.”
Marriott took plenty of punishment during the 90 minutes and Lampard added: “Listen, Middlesbrough are a physical side, I don’t mind that, but the tackle was a bit over the top.”
Despite storming into the lead after 90 seconds with Harry Wilson’s cracking goal, sixth-placed Derby couldn’t build on that and Jordan Hugill levelled on 53 minutes.
Wilson’s goal was excellent as the on-loan Liverpool man collected Marriott’s pass before driving the ball home with his left foot.
After that, though, it was Boro who took over but they had to wait until after the break for Hugill to get his head to George Friend’s cross to equalise.
“They got the early goal but our response was marvellous,” said Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis.
“We took control for long periods. (Danny) Batth’s chance was the best of the game and he knows he should have scored.
“What I’d say about Saville is that I didn’t see whether he’d gone over the ball.
“But Sav is an honest kid. If it was a bad tackle, it certainly wasn’t meant.”
Derby’s best chance of snatching a late win was wasted by sub David Nugent as he drove straight at Darren Randolph from eight yards in the 86th minute.
Lampard added: “We played really well for the first portion of the game, it was a great team goal, and we slightly let them off the hook after that.
“Small details can be the difference, so it’s a big lesson for the players.”