Derby County

Derby 2-2 Southampton
Substitute Paul Peschisolido salvaged a draw for Derby with a dramatic late leveller to cap an entertaing match. County dominated the opening 45 and deserved their lead from Seth Johnson's strike after Steve Howard's knockdown. But after the break Southampton stepped it up and Gareth Bale drew them level with a wonderful, curling free-kick. Former Ram Grzegorz Rasiak played in substitute Bradley Wright-Phillips who rifled in a fierce shot for Saints before Peschisolido's 90th-minute goal. The hosts looked to have run out of ideas and puff before Peschisolido arrowed a low shot into the corner of the net. Inigo Idiakez had seen a shot beaten away by Kelvin Davies and Howard was unable to get enough power in his header from a Giles Barnes cross. Barnes, on his 18th birthday, showed some delightful touches, particularly in the first half as Derby ran the show in their first competitive match under Billy Davies. But Barnes was soon overshadowed by another of the Championship's brightest young prospects - 17-year-old Bale. His left-footed free-kick beat Lee Camp's despairing dive and set Saints on the road to what looked like an opening win to their Championship campaign. And after Wright-Phillips had put Southampton in front on his debut they had chances for a third, most notably when the former Manchester City striker's square pass to Rasiak was cut out by Darren Moore. And Peschisolido's goal added insult to injury for George Burley's team who also saw Claus Lundekvam and Ricardo Fuller go off injured. Lundekvam, sent off on the first day of last season, last six minutes into this one before going off with a badly swollen ankle and a blow to the head. Striker Fuller pulled his hamstring six minutes into the second half.

New boy Oakley named Rams skipper
New Derby County signing Matthew Oakley has been named team captain by Rams boss Billy Davies. Midfielder Oakley, 28, joined Derby on a three-year deal after leaving Southampton during the summer. Davies told Rams' website: \"Matt is an experienced pro who is a good leader and very vocal out on the pitch.\" Veteran defender Michael Johnson, who wore the armband in the Rams' opener against Saints when Oakley was a substitute, is made club captain.

Stoke 2-0 Derby
French striker Vincent Pericard helped Stoke to their first home win of the season at the expense of Derby. Peter Sweeney played a one-two with Pericard, who latched on to the return and struck home from point-blank range under heavy pressure. City's second came when Pericard's shot from 18 yards was parried into the turf by keeper Lee Grant and Darel Russell was on hand to head in. Derby's Ryan Smith came close but his shot was tipped over by Steve Simonsen. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stoke boss Tony Pulis: \"It was a smashing crowd, a good game and a good tempo. Derby are a good side and I really enjoyed it. \"We created some good chances, Vincent Pericard looked a threat, Mamady Sidibe worked his socks off all night and there were spells when we played well. \"At times we gave the ball away too cheaply. Against the better sides that will hurt you.\" Derby boss Billy Davies: \"You have got to defend the goal better, it's all about keeping clean sheets. \"We had chances in the first half, scraps in front of goal, but when you come here you need eight or nine of your players to be at their best \"We came for a test and, unfortunately, we failed in that test. We had too many five out of 10s.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stoke: Simonsen, Hoefkens, Duberry, Hill (Sigurdsson 84), Higginbotham (Dickinson 69), Chadwick (Paterson 65), Russell, Brammer, Sweeney, Pericard, Sidibe. Subs Not Used: Pulis, Duggan. Booked: Brammer. Goals: Pericard 18, Russell 58. Derby: Grant, Michael Johnson, Nyatanga, Moore, Edworthy, Ryan Smith (Bisgaard 61), Seth Johnson (Peschisolido 60), Oakley (Idiakez 71), Barnes, Tommy Smith, Howard. Subs Not Used: Bolder, Jackson. Booked: Peschisolido, Howard, Moore. Att: 20,013 Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).

Hull 1-2 Derby
Hull were left looking for their first point of the season after two controversial goals gave Derby victory at the KC Stadium. Matthew Oakley looked to be offside as he latched on to Tommy Smith's flick to fire Derby ahead. Paul Boertien's rash challenge on Craig Fagan allowed Jon Parkin to score his third goal of the season from the spot. Derby regained the lead from Tommy Smith's penalty awarded after Giles Barnes' cross struck Andy Dawson's arm. Hull had offered little threat but levelled in first-half injury time, as Boertien needlessly clipped Fagan to give Parkin the chance to score from the spot. Hull improved after the break and were enjoying their best spell when they were undone by the same linesman who ruled Oakley was onside. He signalled a penalty but there seemed little intent by Dawson to handle Barnes' cross, and Hull keeper Boaz Myhill almost saved Smith's penalty. Parkin had a chance to snatch a point for Hull in stoppage time but delayed his shot six yards out and was closed down. Hull manager Phil Parkinson: \"An inexperienced linesman cost us the game with two ridiculous decisions. \"For their first goal, Matthew Oakley looked offside from where I was sat, and I don't how he can say the second one was a penalty. \"I have a group of players in the dressing room who have given everything today but feel cheated.\" Derby boss Billy Davies: \"I don't think we played particularly well and we were careless in giving the ball away at times. \"We gave away a stupid penalty just before half time and that put Hull on the front foot. \"The lads told me they thought our winner was a penalty, although I would like to see it again.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hull: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Collins, Dawson, Fagan, Marney, Livermore (Andrews 81), France (Elliott 79), Parkin, Duffy (Barmby 34). Subs Not Used: Duke, Thelwell. Booked: Barmby, Livermore, Collins. Goals: Parkin 45 pen. Derby: Bywater, Michael Johnson, Boertien, Moore, Jackson (Leacock 78), Tommy Smith, Seth Johnson (Ryan Smith 57), Oakley, Idiakez, Howard, Barnes (Bolder 85). Subs Not Used: Bisgaard, Peschisolido. Booked: Moore, Oakley. Goals: Oakley 7, Tommy Smith 74 pen. Att: 15,621 Ref: K Woolmer (Northamptonshire).

Bradford keen to keep Derby pair
Bradford City are hoping to extend Lee Holmes and Nathan Doyle's spells with the League One club. The Derby County pair are on loan until 4 November, but the Bantams have the option of keeping them. Chairman Julian Rhodes said: \"We can have them for six months or a season-long loan as long as it is (agreed) before the end of August.\" They also have the option of extending Ben Parker's deal from Leeds, which is due to run out in January. Rhodes admitted it was unlikely that the club could buy any of their loan signings. And a longer deal with David Graham would depend on his Sheffield Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock.

Derby snap up Camara from Celtic
Derby have completed the free transfer signing of Celtic defender Mo Camara on a three-year deal. Guinea international Camara, 31, was Celtic boss Gordon Strachan's first signing for the Glasgow club and won a SPL winner's medal last season. Strachan said: \"Mo moved on because he couldn't get a regular game and I couldn't give him a 100% commitment he would play every week. \"He's got a nice deal at Derby, which is great, he's a smashing lad.\" Camara had spent last week on trial with Derby's English Championship rivals Leeds United, who were confident of landing the 31-year-old on a season-long loan. But his time at Celtic, who he joined from Burnley in 2004, came to a permanent end after he failed to convince in 24 appearances. Camara, who began his career at Beauvais before moving to Le Havre then Wolverhampton Wanderers, was impressive in Celtic's opening-day 4-1 defeat of Kilmarnock. But natural right-back Mark Wilson was again preferred for the weekend defeat by Hearts following the return of Paul Telfer from injury. Celtic have told another left-back, Charlie Mulgrew, that he can find a new club despite an impressive loan spell with Dundee United last season. And, last week, they decided against signing Bulgaria international Ivaylo Petkov after a two-day trial. But they have still allowed Camara to leave despite their lack of options at left-back.

Derby v Norwich
Mo Camara is set to make his Derby debut at left-back while striker Arturo Lupoli could make the squad after sealing his loan move from Arsenal Derby are otherwise at full strength with no injury or suspension worries. Norwich striker Peter Thorne is rated 50-50 with a hamstring injury but Matthieu Louis-Jean is still not in contention after a torn hamstring. Paul Gallacher continues in goal as City begin life without Robert Green, who joined West Ham this week.

Derby 0-0 Norwich
Derby County were held to a goalless draw by Norwich City in an entertaining encounter at Pride Park. The Rams had the best of the first half with Morten Bisgaard going close twice with long-range efforts. Steve Howard hit the crossbar with his header after connecting with Inigo Idiakez's free-kick from the right. In the second half, Norwich striker Robert Earnshaw fired a foot over from 25 yards and then headed over from 12 yards Lee Croft's cross. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derby manager Billy Davies: \"I am quite pleased with what we got. I was disappointed to lose three players in the week with injury then Darren Moore during the game. \"That was a blow because it ruined our tactical ideas for subs. But in the end, it was a decent point. \"Rome wasn't built in a day but we are looking forward to a challenge. We have lots to do but it's another point.\" Norwich manager Nigel Worthington: \"I thought it was an excellent away display. A lot of teams will come here to Pride Park and get nothing. I am very pleased with the performance. \"We kept them to long-range shots and in the second half our fitness showed through so we are on the right road. \"We had good positions to get shots off but didn't do it quickly. As long as we are doing that we will score goals.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derby: Bywater, Camara, Michael Johnson, Moore (Nyatanga 34), Edworthy, Idiakez (Bolder 76), Barnes, Tommy Smith, Bisgaard, Howard, Peschisolido (Lupoli 55). Subs Not Used: Ryan Smith, Seth Johnson. Booked: Lupoli, Bisgaard, Camara. Norwich: Gallacher, Drury, Shackell, Doherty, Colin, Etuhu, Safri, Robinson, Huckerby, Earnshaw, Croft (McVeigh 72). Subs Not Used: Lewis, Fleming, Hughes, Ryan Jarvis. Booked: Croft, Drury. Att: 22,196 Ref: R Beeby (Northamptonshire).

Derby look past striker Eastwood
Derby County have given up hope of signing striker Freddy Eastwood from Championship rivals Southend. The Rams tabled a bid that was rejected and are looking at other options ahead of the close of the transfer window. \"We made a fantastic offer but Southend rejected it - it's a dead duck as far as I'm concerned,\" manager Billy Davies told the Derby Evening Telegraph. \"You cannot stand still in football. You have to move on and we have. We are looking at others.\"

Stockport 0-1 Derby
Derby captain Michael Johnson's goal put his side into the next round of the Carling Cup after they held off the gutsy challenge of Stockport. The visitors almost took the lead when Giles Barnes saw a shot come back off the post before Johnson struck. The defender tapped in after Ryan Smith hammered in a low drive which Stockport keeper James Spencer could only parry. Keith Briggs and Tony Dinning went close for the home side after the break but Derby held on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stockport: Spencer, Bowler, Rose, Williams, Owen, Allen (Briggs 9), Taylor, Dinning, Griffin, Proudlock (Le Fondre 45), Dickinson (Raynes 45). Subs Not Used: Deasy, Robinson. Booked: Dinning. Derby: Camp, Edworthy, Nyatanga, Michael Johnson, Camara, Tommy Smith (Lupoli 62), Bisgaard (Idiakez 62), Bolder, Ryan Smith (Peschisolido 84), Howard, Barnes. Subs Not Used: Grant, Seth Johnson. Goals: Michael Johnson 44 Att: 3,394 Ref: N Miller (Durham).

Rams boss pleased to end cup jinx
Derby boss Billy Davies was delighted to end his club's rotten form in the Carling Cup with a win at Stockport. \"That was a very important win for us. That's just one defeat for us in five games so far this season. I'm proud of the lads,\" he said. \"It's our first win in this competition for a few years and it's always nice to come away from home and win of course. \"It wasn't pretty, but the lads put in a very professional performance. We defended and got a good clean sheet.\"

Colchester 4-3 Derby
Jamie Cureton scored a hat-trick as Colchester deservedly secured their first win of the season. He put Colchester in front after 27 minutes and headed a second two minutes later, but Derby's Arturo Lupoli pulled one back just before the interval. Chris Iwelumo's penalty restored Colchester's two-goal advantage after 49 minutes and Cureton lobbed home the fourth to complete his treble. Lupoli and Paul Peschisolido hit back for Derby but Colchester held on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Colchester manager Geraint Williams \"We've been putting in great displays but not getting the reward, but today it has come and it was justified. \"It was a great performance and I'm delighted for how they all played. \"It was not just about Cureton and his goals, it was about all the performances from all the players.\" Derby boss Billy Davies \"I want to bring in players that are willing to die for Derby County and get them on the pitch. \"Our defensive performance let us down. There are players that don't want to be here and we have to get them out. There were one or two positives so we have to look at them and work on them, but it was evident today that we need fighters out there on the pitch.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Colchester: Davison, Halford, Baldwin, Brown, Barker, Garcia, Watson, Izzet, Duguid, Cureton (White 83), Iwelumo (Guy 79). Subs Not Used: Gerken, Richards, King. Goals: Cureton 28, 30, Iwelumo 49 pen, Cureton 67. Derby: Camp, Leacock, Michael Johnson, Nyatanga, Camara, Barnes, Bisgaard (Seth Johnson 58), Idiakez (Tommy Smith 45), Ryan Smith (Peschisolido 81), Lupoli, Howard. Subs Not Used: Grant, Edworthy. Booked: Michael Johnson, Nyatanga. Goals: Lupoli 42, 80, Peschisolido 89. Att: 4,574. Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).

Derby striker returns to Watford
Watford have re-signed winger Tommy Smith for around £500,000 from Championship side Derby. Smith, who progressed through the youth ranks to the first team at Vicarage Road, has signed a four-year contract with the Premiership newcomers. He left the Hornets in 2003 after making 167 appearances and joined the Rams following a spell with Sunderland. Smith, 26, started his career as a striker but has mainly been used as a winger during his time at Pride Park.

Saints swoop for Derby's Idiakez
Southampton have signed midfielder Inigo Idiakez from fellow Championship side Derby for £250,000 plus add-ons. The 32-year-old Spaniard joined the Rams in 2004 making 95 appearances and scoring 22 goals in total. Idiakez had two years left on his contract at Pride Park, but has opted to link up again with former Rams boss George Burley at St Mary's. \"Inigo's move to Southampton makes financial sense for the club.\" said Derby chief Mike Horton.\"

Former Derby County chairman dies
The former chairman of Derby County football club has died from cancer at age 74. Lionel Pickering, a former journalist at the Derby Evening Telegraph and Sydney Sun, established the free title Trader group of newspapers. He bought the Rams in 1991 and masterminded the club's move to Pride Park before selling the club in 2003. Despite a spell in the Premiership, the club was heavily in debt when he relinquished control. Minute's silence Mr Pickering, who leaves three sons, was widely credited with introducing free newspapers to the UK. Peter Gadsby, current chairman of Derby County said: \"Lionel was a maverick who put his money where his heart was and the fact that his chairmanship ended unhappily should not disguise the fact that he had overseen a period of huge achievement both on and off the field. \"Lionel played a major part in an important stage of the club's history and we will hold a minute's silence in his memory before the next home game against Sunderland\". Mr Pickering started the Derby Trader in 1966 from a bedroom at his mother's home, and delivered many of the early editions himself. Over the next 20 years the Trader Group grew across the Midlands and in 1989 he sold out to Thomson Regional Newspapers for more than £25m. He died in the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary after a long battle with cancer.

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