It finished honours even as Derby County and Nottingham Forest battled out a goalless draw in Monday night's Championship clash at Pride Park Stadium. There were chances at both ends but neither side could ultimately find a breakthrough in a typically hard-fought East Midlands derby. Joe Lolley almost won it for Forest but saw his effort hit the crossbar eight minutes from time. The result lifted Frank Lampard's men back up to fourth in the table, a point above Sheffield United, while Forest remain just outside the play-off zone in seventh. The draw also means Derby keep hold of the Brian Clough Trophy after making it six games unbeaten against their rivals. Lampard kept faith with the side that started the 1-0 win away to Wigan Athletic. There were a couple of changes to the bench, with midfielder George Evans featuring for the first time since he injured his knee in August. There was also a return to the 18 for defender Andre Wisdom but striker Martyn Waghorn did not feature. … [Read more...] about Match report: Derby County 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Match reports
Barnsley 1 Portsmouth 1 – Neil Allen’s match report
0 Have your say Daniel Stendel circumnavigated the well-occupied press room, shaking the hands of those sheltered inside. An honourable outcome, point shared, unbeaten records preserved, Merry Christmas one and all.Harmony descended upon Oakwell on Saturday, a hearty congeniality emanating from both camps to warm the freezing souls.Managers and players can agonise over missed opportunities, they may lament the passing of a lead, yet there was a distinctive sense of serenity following a hard-fought 1-1 draw in bitterly cold South Yorkshire.Sometimes there can be mutual triumph amid stalemates.Many of those of Pompey persuasion would have gleefully accepted a point before kick off, certainly a potential conclusion which grew in popularity as the encounter progressed.The spectre of back-to-back defeats was an unpleasant proposition for the League One leaders, particularly as they gallop towards the pivotal clash with … [Read more...] about Barnsley 1 Portsmouth 1 – Neil Allen’s match report
Fleetwood Town 1 Burton Albion 0: Match report
Fleetwood Town bounced back to beat Burton Albion 1-0 and extend their unbeaten run at fortress Highbury to six league matches. Barton made three changes from the side that lost 2-0 at Luton.Lewie Coyle recovered from a rib injury and returned to the side with Conor McAleny and Ash Hunter also back in the line-up as Barton reverted back to a 4-4-2.Craig Morgan and James Husband (hamstring) missed out with Ryan Taylor moving to the bench.It was a game hampered by the elements from the off as the wind and rain ravaged Highbury.It was a tame start but Evans got his eye in early, his effort just deflecting over the bar.Fleetwood grew into the game as Burton failed to capitalise on the conditions.The wind was in the visitors favour with Cairns' clearances often whirling back through the air.In fact the closest Burton came to scoring was aided by the wind as Hunter's backpass was whisked towards goal before just flying wide of the right stick.It was Fleetwood though who had the best chance … [Read more...] about Fleetwood Town 1 Burton Albion 0: Match report
Match report: Crystal Palace 1-0 Leicester City
A superb strike from Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic just before half time condemned Leicester City to a second consecutive defeat as Claude Puel’s men enter the festive period struggling to find their form. After the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend and with Chelsea and Manchester City to face over Christmas City had identified the trip to struggling Palace as a must-win, but it wasn’t to be Milivojevic’s strike left City empty handed and facing an even-more challenging week or two. It was a poor game overall and it was one of the few moments of quality that won the game, but City also had chances to equalise, most notably Jamie Vardy and substitute Rachid Ghezzal, but it wasn’t their day, especially Vardy who had a goal disallowed and saw his second half effort tipped onto the post by keeper Vicente Guaita. Puel was quick to stress it wasn’t revenge City were seeking at Selhurst Park after their embarrassing 5-0 defeat last season, but … [Read more...] about Match report: Crystal Palace 1-0 Leicester City
NUFC match report: Rondon gives NUFC crucial win
It was another case of away the lads for Newcastle United as they earned a vital road trip win against Huddersfield Town. This was an ugly and abject encounter to watch but the travelling masses had no complaints at the final whistle as their side held to three points to ease their relegation fears in West Yorkshire. Salomon Rondon’s late winner proved the difference in this one and the second half strike put an important six-point gap between United and the Terriers in the top-flight. It means Newcastle’s away record is now far superior than their efforts at St James’ Park but another pre-Christmas win against Fulham next weekend will put them close to the halfway point in their survival battle. In wet and icy conditions, both sides struggled to get the ball under control and the early chances in this contest came from corner kicks. Laurent Depoitre latched on to a set-piece from the right-hand side in the opening stages but slashed his effort high and wide. … [Read more...] about NUFC match report: Rondon gives NUFC crucial win