Rooney at fault as Derby’s hopes suffer fatal blow

Cardiff City 2

Hoilett 17, Tomlin 59

Derby County 1

Knight 30

Wayne Rooney has had many games to remember in a remarkable career, but this was not one of them as his fatal error handed Cardiff victory and virtually ended Derby’s play-off hopes.

Rooney was anonymous in the Welsh capital and was robbed in possession by Cardiff ’s Lee Tomlin, who capitalised to fire the winner.

Derby – who now have only the smallest chance of making the top six – had given away a poor opener to Junior Hoilett before the man at fault, Jason Knight, produced an equaliser.

But in a game both teams had to win it was Cardiff who grabbed the points as Tomlin made Rooney pay dearly for his poor display. The Bluebirds stay in sixth spot.

Cardiff were gifted the opener when Derby midfielder Knight attempted to find Kelle Roos with a back pass, but it was woefully under hit and Hoilett pounced before gratefully sliding the ball into an empty net.

Knight then turned from villain to hero. Derby’s Louie Sibley raced clear and Cardiff defenders Sean Morrison and Joe Bennett attempted a desperate double tackle.

All they could do was deflect the ball into the path of Knight, who smashed home.

Then came Rooney’s moment to forget. The former Manchester United’s goalscorer was robbed by Tomlin, who unleashed a low shot that went in via a post.

Cardiff City (4-2-3-1) Smithies; Bacuna, Nelson, Morrison, Bennett; Pack (Paterson 90), Ralls; Mendez-laing (Smith 90), Tomlin (Vaulks 70), Hoilett; Glatzel (Ward 78). Subs Etheridge, Sanderson, Flint, Bamba, Murphy. Booked Hoilett.

Derby County (4-2-3-1) Roos; Lowe (Bogle 68), Davies, Clarke, Forsyth (Malone 88); Bird (Shinnie 88), Rooney; Knight (Marriott 77), Sibley (Jozefzoon 77), Lawrence; Martin. Subs Hamer, Evans, Buchanan, Whittaker. Referee Darren Bond (Lancashire).