SPYGATE THE SEQUEL
Derby set up a play-off showdown with Leeds in rematch we all wanted
The Spygate sequel is on. And this time, as the voiceover for the trailer might boom, the stakes are even higher.
Derby showed enormous courage and buckets of quality to beat West Brom and set up a play-off showdown with Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United that, let’s admit, was the rematch we all wanted.
The drama that swirled round their last encounter in January was one of the stories of the season, when Frank Lampard understandably took umbrage at having his training sessions spied on by a Leeds employee.
The fallout saw Bielsa painted as an Argentinian James Bond villain, although some £200,000 poorer after personally paying the FA fine. Lampard might not admit it, but the prospect of revenge must appeal.
his Derby team will go into Saturday evening’s first leg here at Pride Park in full confidence. They were much superior to West Brom, and most impressive after Jimmy Shan’s side equalised in the second half.
Derby maintained their patience as supporters’ anxiety rose and got their rewards. Middlesbrough might have believed victory at Rotherham would secure their top-six place, but Derby’s conviction was compelling.
‘Pride is the main emotion,’ said Lampard ( right). ‘ Some boys have become men this season. The fans were getting a little bit worried but I loved that we were trying to find spaces against a deep block.’
Derby lost twice to Leeds this season, by an aggregate of 6-1, but form is with Lampard’s side. ‘ We need to try to carry that momentum — we’ll be underdogs because we came sixth,’ Lampard said. ‘ There’s a reason we’ve finished points behind Leeds, Villa and West Brom. The run-in has been good for us, so let’s go into it with no fear.’
Derby took the lead in the 20th minute when Jayden Bogle whipped a brilliant first-time cross from the right and Martyn Waghorn raced ahead of Kyle Bartley to glance home a header.
But twice in the first half West Brom should have scored.
First, Jay Rodriguez set up Jacob Murphy but he dragged his shot wide. Then on the half- hour Murphy cut the ball back for Dwight Gayle to run on to. he prodded wide. So it was not a total surprise when the visitors equalised two minutes after the interval. Ahmed hegazi chanelled his inner JayJay Okocha with keepy-uppies and a backheel to Rodriguez, who hit a flat pass to Stefan Johansen. The Norwegian cut inside and struck a magnificent finish into the far corner. Derby knew a draw would be insufficient. And the players’ response was impressive. They could have reclaimed the lead when Tom Lawrence sent David Nugent clear, only for Sam Johnstone to save with his foot. But Derby moved to victory with two goals in three minutes in the final quarter.
First, Mason Bennett nudged in from close range after Johnstone had saved Lawrence’s shot and the ball bounced kindly off hegazi.
Then Lawrence burst clear of two West Brom defenders and fell under the tackle of Bartley. Contact was minimal but referee Tim Robinson pointed to the spot. harry Wilson dispatched the penalty into the bottom corner to spark a pile- on by team-mates.
In injury time, hal Robson-Kanu stupidly got himself suspended from the play- offs, which start with Saturday’s early kick- off against Aston Villa, by kicking out at Bradley Johnson.
he got a straight red and threematch ban. ‘he’s a big loss, it’s a bitter blow,’ said Shan.
‘Villa will be a big test. Potentially our momentum could have taken a knock.’