Roo’s Rava-go hero
1 Morrison
PRESTON
80
JANINE SELF
0
GLOBE-TROTTING Ravel Morrison was the jet-lagged hero of a crucial Derby win.
In a match overshadowed by two red cards, the Jamaica striker came to the rescue just 48 hours after playing the third of three internationals in a fortnight.
Morrison made it four goals in five games and is playing a vital part in the survival fight which now sees the Rams six points from safety with six games left.
Boss Wayne Rooney is delighted with the player’s influence on the club. But Morrison, who played against Canada, Honduras and El Salvador, only arrived back in the UK early Friday morning
Rooney said: “I could have started him but he took part in training yesterday and I felt he looked tired, after 90 minutes three times.
“I am delighted for him to get the goal and delighted for all the players. We knew it was a must-win game.”
He struck with a rebound 10 minutes from time after Preston keeper Daniel Iversen pulled off a double save.
How this match needed it. Liam Lindsay’s second red card in 11 games this season – for a tackle on Tom Lawrence – was followed by Max Bird’s dismissal.
Rooney revealed he warned the players about their discipline at half-time.
He added: “I spoke to them, told them we had an advantage so it was important not to waste an opportunity! It looked like a red card from where I was. He’s made a challenge, tackled and mistimed.”
Preston boss Ryan Lowe said: “We have to be strong enough to cope and we weren’t. When they got their man sent off, they found the way to win and we didn’t.” DERBY COUNTY: Allsop 6; Byrne 7, Davies 7, Cashin 7, Buchanan 7; Knight 6, Bird 5, Lawrence 8; Ebiowei 6 (Morrison 67, 5), Ebosele 6 (Bielik 57, 6), Plange 6 (Stearman 85).
Subs not used: Roos, Forsyth, Sibley, Cybulski.
PRESTON: Iversen 8; Rafferty 6, Bauer 6, Lindsay 4, Hughes 6; Browne 6, Whiteman 6, Johnson 7; Jakobsen 4 (Van Den Berg 34, 6), Evans 5 (Maguire 64, 5) Archer 6 (Murphy, 74).
Subs not used: Ripley, McCann, Sinclair, Potts.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Tom Lawrence. The class act in a real mess of a match to keep Derby hopes alive.
REFEREE: Geoff Eltringham 5.