Derby County took a big step towards Wembley tonight by beating Fulham in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final. Cameron Jerome's first-half header - a fifth goal in four games - was the difference between the two sides in a 1-0 win. Jerome climbed highest to power home from a Craig Forsyth to hand the Rams the advantage heading into the second leg at Craven Cottage on Monday (7.45pm). Derby Telegraph chief football writer Steve Nicholson was at Pride Park Stadium and gave his regular player ratings - with defender Curtis Davies particularly impressing. Time Line Derby County player ratings v Fulham Scott Carson - 7 Only two saves to make, and made both. Another shut-out for him Richard Keogh - 7.5 Played his part in a clean sheet Curtis Davies - 8 Very impressive up against Mitrovic Craig Forsyth - 7.5 Assist for Derby's goal and strong performance Andre Wisdom - 7 Powerful performance Tom Huddlestone - 8 Classy and composed on the ball, never rushed, kept … [Read more...] about Player ratings: Curtis Davies shines as Derby shut out Fulham
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We have to keep believing, says Derby skipper Curtis Davies
Curtis Davies says Derby County have to keep believing they can force their way back into the play-offs. The Rams dropped out of the Championship top six for the first time since November following their disappointing 3-1 defeat at Burton Albion. On Saturday, they face the team that replaced them in the play-off zone, Middlesbrough, at Pride Park Stadium (3pm). Boro climbed to fifth, above sixth-placed Millwall on goal difference, thanks to a 2-1 victory over Bristol City. Derby are seventh, a point behind the two sides directly above them, though with a game in hand. Gary Rowett's men have only four matches remaining - after Boro, they host second-placed Cardiff City on Tuesday night, followed by a trip to fourth-placed Aston Villa next Saturday. And the Rams round off their regular campaign at home to Barnsley on Sunday, May 6. Davies delivered a brutally honest assessment of Derby's performance against relegation-threatened Burton last time out, admitting the players had showed a … [Read more...] about We have to keep believing, says Derby skipper Curtis Davies
Curtis Davies: Derby lacked ‘heart and desire’ in loss to Burton Albion
16 Apr From the section Derby Share this with Digg Facebook Google LinkedIn Reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Copy this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43783289 Read more about sharing. Derby County lacked heart in the defeat against bottom-of-the-table Burton Albion and risk being torn apart if they do not improve, according to centre-half Curtis Davies.The Rams dropped out of the play-off places to seventh in the Championship table after Saturday's 3-1 loss.But they will go fifth if they win the game in hand they have on fifth-placed Middlesbrough and Millwall, in sixth.Davies told BBC Radio Derby losing to Burton was a "massive backwards step"."It was nothing to do with quality or ability, it was probably heart and desire and we lacked massively with that," the 33-year-old added."We didn't deserve to get anything out of the game."The Rams dropped out of the top six for the first time … [Read more...] about Curtis Davies: Derby lacked ‘heart and desire’ in loss to Burton Albion
Curtis Davies highlights ‘make-or-break’ week in promotion race
Curtis Davies has described this week as "make-or-break" for Derby County and their hope of promotion this season. The Rams dropped out of the Championship play-off zone following Saturday's disappointing 3-1 defeat at Burton Albion, having been in the top six since November. Gary Rowett's men only have four league matches left to play and face one of their main rivals Middlesbrough at Pride Park on Saturday. Boro climbed back into a play-off place thanks to a 2-1 home victory over Bristol City at the weekend. Tony Pulis' side are now one point ahead of Derby and have a marginally superior goal difference, though the Rams have a game in hand. Although nothing will be decided this weekend, Davies is well aware how much is riding on the next match, with games against second-placed Cardiff City (home) and fourth-placed Aston Villa (away) to come before rounding off their campaign against relegation-threatened Barnsley (home). "I don't know if it's a good omen that we're playing three … [Read more...] about Curtis Davies highlights ‘make-or-break’ week in promotion race
See what Curtis Davies had to say about Derby’s defeat to Burton
Captain Curtis Davies delivered a typically honest assessment following Derby County's defeat to Burton Albion. The Rams lost 3-1 to the Brewers at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday. As a result, Derby dropped out of the Sky Bet Championship play-off zone for the first time since November, with only four games remaining. For Burton, it was only their third home of the season - and first since September. The result lifted them off the bottom of the table and kept their slim hopes of avoiding relegation alive. Liam Boyce put Albion ahead before David Nugent headed Derby level. Luke Murphy regained the lead for Burton just before half-time and Lucas Akins extended their advantage after the interval. Matej Vydra then saw a late penalty saved to round off a miserable afternoon for the Rams. Read More Burton Albion 3-1 Derby County “Burton looked like a team that were fighting for something – they gave everything, 200 per cent at times," said Davies. “Any 50-50 ball, they … [Read more...] about See what Curtis Davies had to say about Derby’s defeat to Burton