Ayegbini shows his skills (Getty Images).
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Strikers Yacubu Ayegbini and Svetoslav Todorov scored a brace each as
Portsmouth took another step towards the Premiership and maintained their
two-point lead at the top of Division One.
They were helped by a blistering start as they went three goals up in the
first 22 minutes.
Paul Merson opened the scoring before Nigerian striker Ayegbini, on loan from
Maccabi Haifa and making only his second start in England, added to his strike
last week against Grimsby and then Matthew Taylor piled on the misery for the
visitors.
Derby threatened to snatch an unlikely point when they scored twice midway
through the second half but Todorov and Ayegbini ensured it was a crushing
defeat for the Midlands club.
Portsmouth went ahead with just over two-and-a-half minutes on the clock.
Taylor released Ayegbini, who crossed low into the area and Merson's shot hit
the underside of the crossbar before the former England international tapped
home the rebound.
Shortly after Derby kicked off following the goal they had Steve Elliott
booked for a foul on Kevin Harper and then Izale McLeod had their first shot but
pulled it wide.
McLeod did better after 11 minutes when he tested Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka
Hislop but soon the visitors found themselves two goals down.
Pompey doubled their advantage from a fine move involving Todorov, Harper and
Taylor and which ended with Ayegbini slamming the ball high into the net from
close range.
And just as Derby were recovering from the shock, Harry Redknapp's side
stunned them again. This time Todorov found Taylor in space and he drew Lee
Grant from his goal before tucking the ball into the corner of the net with his
left foot.
John Gregory's team, who had won their last two games and scored three goals
each time to move to within four points of the play-off zone, were being run
ragged and mustered only long-range efforts which failed to trouble Hislop.
There was little sign of a Rams revival when the second half began, Todorov
volleying over from a promising position and Gregory's frustration boiling over
to the point where he was sent from the dug-out after becoming involved in an
argument with the fourth official.
But his mood was brightened slightly in the 58th minute when Lee Morris, from
his side's first real chance of the game, converted the rebound after his
initial strike had been parried by Hislop.
It gave Derby a new lease of life and their comeback was being inspired by
Georgi Kinkladze.
The Georgian had played in Morris for their first goal and netted the second
himself from the penalty spot. Kinkladze had mesmerised the home defence before
knocking the ball to Warren Barton, who was bundled over by Todorov.
However, the visitors' hopes of taking anything from the game were ended 18
minutes from time when Todorov beat the offside trap to latch on to a ball from
Ayegbini and slot the ball under Grant to make it 4-2.
The Bulgarian returned the compliment for Ayegbini to complete his brace and
then took his goals tally for the season to 15 as Derby succumbed to a
drubbing.
Teams
Portsmouth: Hislop, Primus, Foxe, Tavlaridis (Heikkinen 90),
Harper, Quashie (Diabate 88), Sherwood, Merson, Taylor,
Todorov, Ayegbini.
Subs Not Used: Kawaguchi, Burton, Pericard.
Booked: Tavlaridis, Sherwood.
Goals: Merson 3, Ayegbini 17, Taylor 22, Todorov 73,
Ayegbini 80, Todorov 85.
Derby: Grant, Barton, Elliott, Evatt, Zavagno, Bolder, Lee,
Kinkladze, Boertien, Morris, McLeod.
Subs Not Used: Oakes, Jackson, Ravanelli, Murray, Tudgay.
Booked: Elliott, Boertien.
Goals: Morris 58, Kinkladze 67 pen.
Att: 19,503
Ref: C Penton (Sussex).
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