Boro blitz has Rams in Roo-ins
WAYNE TAKES BLAME IN GRUDGE GAME THRASHING
DERBY may have resolved one battle off the pitch but lost a crucial one on it as their survival hopes took a damaging hit at play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough.
After Rams’ former owner Mel Morris resolved his legal dispute with Boro owner Steve Gibson, boosting hopes of a sale, Derby supporters had hoped to celebrate against the club they love to hate.
But Lady Luck, some dodgy defending and an inspirational performance by Isaiah Jones conspired to end a week of promise on a downbeat note.
Chants for and against Gibson by the two sets of fans were soon drowned out by the Riverside roaring its approval at Boro’s biggest home win in seven years.
“It’s been a tough week but a really successful one
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and it was really important we finished it like that,” said boss Chris Wilder, who masterminded an FA Cup win over Manchester United eight days earlier.
“And I was delighted with the manner of it but we won’t get carried away.”
Though two of Boro’s goals went in off Derby players, the hosts’ superiority suggests there could yet be two divisions separating these teams next term.
Wayne Rooney, however, claimed he was to blame for the result rather than his players.
“I take full responsibility,” he said. “I tried something different and it did not come off. The way we set up was not right
“But the first half was quite even until we conceded two sloppy goals just before half-time.”
Jones joined Boro from non-league minnows Tooting & Mitcham United and spent last season on loan at Queen of the South.
Who knows his next destination if he carries on dazzling like this?
The 22-year-old was virtually unplayable during an opening period in which he created all three home goals.
Boro broke the deadlock after 15 minutes when Jones robbed Liam Thompson and when he drove the ball in, Lee Buchanan sliced it into his own net.
But on 39 minutes Derby’s Max Bird met Paddy McNair’s clearance on the volley, beating Joe Lumley from 20 yards out for only his second goal in 96 games.
Two goals before halftime killed off Derby’s hopes. One carried a large slice of good fortune, but both were testament to the havoc
Jones was wreaking down the right channel.
First he fed Aaron Connolly inside the area and the striker shot on the turn, his effort taking a vicious deflection off Curtis Davies.
Then deep into first-half injury time, Jones jinked his way to the byline, pulled the ball back and Matt Crooks stabbed home.
Derby never looked like mounting a comeback and substitute Duncan Watmore scored with his first touch to wrap it up after 88 minutes following a defensive mix-up. MIDDLESBROUGH:: Lumley 6; Dijksteel 6, Fry 7, McNair 6; Jones 9, Crooks 7 (McGee 66, 6), Howson 7, Tavernier 8, Taylor 6; Connolly 7 (Watmore 88), Balogun 7 (Sporar 90)
Subs not used: Peltier, Bamba, Daniels, Coburn. DERBY COUNTY: Allsop 5; Byrne 6, Davies 5, Buchanan 5, Forsyth 5 (Ebiowei 82); Bielik 6 (Morrison 66, 5), Bird 6; Thompson 5 (Ebosele 45, 6), Knight 6, Lawrence 6; Plange 5.
Subs not used: Sibley, Roos, Stretton, Cashin. MAN OF THE MATCH: Isaiah Jones. Boro’s man of the moment is destined for stardom on this compelling evidence. REFEREE: Mike Dean 7.