IT’S ALL OVER IN 24 SECONDS
Vydra deals killer blow with his early strike. . . and shaky Forest never recover
THe flag-waving had barely finished and the sound system only just turned down when Matej Vydra sensed an opening.
Collecting Joe Ledley’s pass on the half-turn, Vydra beat Liam Bridcutt, took another touch to go past Michael Mancienne, and hit a finish of pinpoint accuracy into the bottom corner.
The big screen showing the time flicked from 24 seconds to 25 and Pride Park erupted. An entire match was still to be played but the significant blow had been struck.
Though Forest tried, they never recovered and a sixth defeat in eight Championship games is a bleak sequence. Saturday’s visit by Burton becomes greatly important for Mark Warburton.
Claiming the Brian Clough Trophy takes derby above their great rivals in the table and is all the more welcome for coming off the back of a defeat and three successive draws. Both these clubs have ambitions of promotion but are works in progress as each manager shapes a squad in his image. Patience is the word at either end of the A52 after much turmoil in opposing dugouts.
This match, pitting Warburton against Gary rowett again, ended a sequence stretching back five games where both managers had been changed from the previous contest.
So rowett’s glee when Vydra hit the back of the net from 20 yards ran deeply. For Vydra, it was a continuation of a pattern, his ninth goal in eight games against Forest playing for Watford, reading and derby.
Yet it did not mark the start of a siege and for the rest of the first half Forest were the better side. In the second minute, Scott Carson kept out daryl Murphy and the striker headed wide soon after. on the half-hour Murphy
failed to make contact with his header five yards out.
Barrie McKay then struck a post with his shot from long range and moments later the Scottish winger had an even better chance. Bridcutt’s ball over the top sliced through Derby and Andre Wisdom’s poor call to play offside was too late. through on goal with time, McKay failed to give himself the best angle to shoot and Carson saved with his legs.
Four minutes after the break, McKay set up Jason Cummings but he shinned his finish on to the roof of the net. Almost instantly, Forest paid for their profligacy. From Carson’s goal-kick, Vydra burst forward and threaded a pass of perfect weight to David Nugent, who was able to run on to the ball and deliver an equally fine finish without breaking stride.
it allowed Derby breathing room and Rowett sent on George thorne for the final 20 minutes for his first Championship appearance since May 2016.
Carson tipped over McKay’s shot from 20 yards but Forest faded. tom Lawrence twice went close for Derby with freekicks and the Wales winger was also denied by goalkeeper Jordan Smith.
Rowett said: ‘it was a fantastic goal from Matej. i told him this week he has everything to be the best No 10 in this division. he’s powerful, quick, and can finish. We stepped up in a massive game.’
Warburton said: ‘it is very frustrating. We give away a goal in 30 seconds but responded magnificently well. You have to take the chances. it is a big lesson.’