MAC THE STRIFE

ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC kept Newcastle on top of the Championship and was then caught in a red card row.

Wolves argued the Serbian striker should have been dismissed before his first- half match-winner for appearing to stamp on keeper Carl Ikeme’s heel having already been booked.

Molineux boss Paul Lambert said: “It was the referee’s call but I know from being an ex-player if you have been yellow-carded and you raise your studs you are in danger.

“I think Rafa Benitez realised it sure. In the end we are pleased he scored the winning goal and pleased because he was working so hard.

“I took him out because with the pressure of the fans on top of him it was important to protect him and the team.

“They were more dangerous in the first half with some crosses STEVE McCLAREN blew his top as Derby slumped before staging a incredible fightback.

Two down after half an hour, three at half-time… the Rams were staring at a fourth league defeat in six games and Rams boss McClaren was not having it.

By the time the final whistle sounded, Derby were level and an unexpected point to the good but the manager was still an emotional wreck.

McClaren admitted: “We saw the full spectrum of what this squad is capable of. Jekyll and Hyde. This because they were winning a lot of second balls and when we managed this situation we controlled it better.” Wolves enjoyed the best of the first half but Newcastle created the first chance when Jack Colback saw a close- range shot smothered by Ikeme. Nouha Di cko vol leyed a good chance wide for the hosts in the 20th minute was a defining moment – do we go backwards, do we go forwards and they went forwards.

“We didn’t have a game head on, simple as that. But we showed a lot of heart. We live to fight another day.”

Craig Bryson and a moody Bradley Johnson were hooked minutes after the first of Tammy