Manchester United took a massive step towards retaining their Premiership
title without even kicking a ball as close rivals Blackburn were undone by a
double blast from Derby striker Dean Sturridge at Pride Park.
Rovers missed out on the chance to climb above Chelsea into second spot as
they suffered only their second away defeat of the season - and with just 16
matches left they trail Alex Ferguson's side by eight points.
But Derby, who are still unbeaten in the Premiership at their new
headquarters, are now dreaming of securing a European spot after climbing into
sixth spot.
Sturridge, who was close to leaving The Rams in the summer after going on the
transfer list at his own request, killed off Roy Hodgson's side with his seventh
and eighth goals of the campaign on his return from injury.
The visitors dominated proceedings territorially but they lacked the killer
instinct and could not find a way past Mart Poom until Chris Sutton grabbed his
14th goal of the season three minutes from time.
But it was too little, too late and then Paulo Wanchope ensured there was no
late Blackburn revival as he put the icing on the cake for County with his 11th
goal of the season barely 60 seconds later.
Derby always looked dangerous on the counter-attack with Francesco Baiano
always a threat, but statistics show that their three efforts on target in the
entire 90 minutes all resulted in goals.
Now it will need a major slip-up by the men from Old Trafford to surrender the
Premiership crown.
Rovers, unbeaten in their previous six matches, began impressively and Poom
was twice called into action in the opening five minutes.
First he had to react quickly to save a close-range effort from Kevin
Gallacher after he had found himself clear 15 yards out following a neat one-two
with Sutton.
Then the Estonian international parried away a header from Colin Hendry to his
left after Sutton had flicked on a free-kick from the lively Damien Duff.
But then Derby stunned the visitors by taking the lead from their first attack
worthy of the name in the 14th minute.
Jonathan Hunt's ball into the penalty area was flicked on by Wanchope and the
alert Sturridge drilled a low shot past Tim Flowers from 12 yards, although
television cameras suggested he may have been offside.
There was then a quiet period after the initial burst of excitement, with
Rovers continuing to knock the ball around with great confidence.
But then four minutes before the interval Derby went further ahead, although
this time they needed a slice of luck.
Baiano's low cross from the right flank was hit goalwards by Sturridge but it
took a severe deflection off Hendry and wrong-footed Flowers as it flew inside
his near post.
The second half followed a similar pattern with Blackburn continuing to look
the more menacing.
Poom saved from Tim Sherwood after he had burst into the area following good
play by Gallacher and Jeff Kenna.
The pacey Duff looked to have his heels clipped by Dean Yates after he had
burst into the area but referee Graham Poll waved play on.
But Rovers should have reduced the arrears in the 65th minute when Stephane
Henchoz volleyed over from eight yards out with the goal at his mercy after
Sutton had headed a Garry Flitcroft cross into his path.
Poom held on to a low drive from Sutton who then headed a Jason Wilcox centre
over the bar, but Derby managed to hold firm.
Rovers finally gave themselves hope when Sutton's flick header from a
Flitcroft cross crept inside the near post in the 87th minute.
But almost immediately Wanchope won a tussle in the area with Henchoz before
firing past Flowers after Ron Willems had headed a corner back across goal.
Teams:
Derby: Poom, Rowett, Powell, Yates, Stimac,
Sturridge (Burton 89), Wanchope, Laursen, Elliott (Willems 46),
Hunt, Baiano.
Subs Not Used: Hoult, Bridge-Wilkinson, Carbon.
Booked: Hunt.
Goals: Sturridge 15, 40, Wanchope 88.
Blackburn: Flowers, Kenna, Sherwood, Hendry, Ripley, Gallacher,
Sutton, Flitcroft, Croft (Wilcox 61), Henchoz, Duff.
Subs Not Used: Pedersen, McKinlay, Valery, Williams.
Booked: Henchoz, Flitcroft.
Goals: Sutton 87.
Att: 27,823
Ref: G Poll (Tring).
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