AS RAMS BATTLE BACK
Wwith Jonjo Shelvey) side-footed the ball in from a few yards after Jamaal Lascelles had teed him up. It was the Serb’s fourth goal of the season. There were claims from Wolves that Possession 5 7% 43% Shots On Target 2 2 Lascelles had been in Shots Off Target 7 2 an offside position in Blocked Shots 4 2 the build-up. Corners 5 3 Edwards was just Fouls Conceded 14 17 Offsides 1 wide with a near-post Yellow Cards header from Costa’s Red Cards centre as Wolves tried and Richard Stearman lifted the ball over the top from six yards after Dave Edwards had flicked on Helder Costa’s free-kick.
Newcastle had offered very little until they took a 44th- minute lead through Mitrovic who had been without a goal in 11 previous appearances. The striker (celebrating, left Abraham’s double and following new striker Matty Taylor’s first goal in the second tier.
Johnson’s response in tearing off his shirt and flinging it to the ground angrily will surely mean repercussions even if McClaren was dismissing it last night.
Back on the pitch, Abraham then extended the lead to 3-0 with no evidence to suggest a fightback was on the cards.
What Derby needed was an early strike and Darren Bent’s header from a wonderful cross from Chris Baird 1 0 provided it. Had Taylor not missed an absolute sitter a couple of minutes later, it would probably have been game over for Derby.
Instead Tom Ince headed Ikechi Anya’s cross past Fabian Giefer before winning a penalty which Bent converted.
Bent is now on 10 goals for the season – six in his last seven games - while Ince has 12 and they hold the key to whatever the Rams’ season has in store.
McClaren said: “Tom and Benty did it for us again. There’s Possession Shots On Target Shots Off Target Blocked Shots Corners Fouls Conceded Offsides Yellow Cards Red Cards 1 5 0 54% 46% 6 6 4 7 1 3 8 3 13 13 0 2 2 4 0 0 to repair the damage soon after the interval.
But apart from a shot from Lee Evans which soared high Wolves created very little and Newcastle were able to see out the game without too many alarms as Benitez’s team held onto top spot. always hope when you’ve got them in the team.”
It was tough on City, who have staged a mini-revival after eight consecutive league defeats. Lee Johnson’s team were outstanding in the first half.
The City head coach said: “It’s like when your kid runs out on the road and you grab it and don’t know whether to smack it on the bum or cuddle it. Yes, I’m massively disappointed.”