Powell: It’s been good week
CHRIS POWELL’S upbeat nature was evident after Derby County’s draw with Reading gave them four points from two games since the suspension of manager Nigel Pearson.
The Derby County boss was sent home by the club on Tuesday pending an internal investigation, with assistant manager Powell stepping up to take charge of the side and overseeing a win at Cardiff City and this draw.
Powell’s men took the lead just past the hour mark when Matej Vydra, who spent last season on loan at Reading, turned in Cyrus Christie’s freekick, but Reading battled back to equalise in the 90th minute through George Evans.
“If you put all things into consideration, four points from two away games is very good,” said Powell.
“It’s been a good week for us in light of all that’s gone on.It could’ve been a great week for us. I will give the players all the credit in the world for how they’ve responded.
“Their spirits and morale has been first class. I think they’ve showed that there was a real togetherness.
“I felt we dominated the second half, created chances and deservedly went in front. But we just couldn’t see it through and that’s disappointing.
“I’m sure our fans and everyone connected with Derby County would love the response they’ve seen from their team this week.”
In a drab first half, Yann Kermorgant headed straight at Scott Carson while the lively Tom Ince saw a shot well blocked by Liam Moore.
Derby started the second half the brighter of the two sides so it came as no real surprise to see the Rams take the lead on 62 minutes, courtesy of a familiar face to those inside the Madejski Stadium.
After Chris Gunter, who had a poor afternoon, dragged back Will Hughes, Christie drilled the resulting free-kick low into the box.
After a kind deflection off the wall, the ball fell into the path of ex-Reading loanee Vydra, who turned the ball past Ali Al-Habsi and into the bottom corner.
And were it not for Al-Habsi the game could have been out of reach as Vydra rose to meet Ikechi Anya’s cross and power a header towards the top corner, only for the Omani stopper to claw the danger clear.
Just as time appeared to have run out for the Royals, Evans popped up to smash home from close range and snatch a share of the spoils for the visitors following a scramble from a Roy Beerens corner. “At the end of course you’re happy with the point,” said Reading boss Jaap Stam.
“After you’re 1-0 down it’s very difficult to get back into the game because they’re going to be dropping in even more and waiting even more for that counter attack to score the second one.
“We made a couple of substitutions and eventually scored that equaliser which I think we deserved.
“We could also sit back and play 4-4-2 and wait for a counter attack or maybe a set piece to score a goal. That’s not how we’re playing.
“Everybody knows we want to play with possession.
“We need to find a way to make it difficult for the opponent.”