Pierre van Hooijdonk was at the centre of controversy as Horacio Carbonari
again showed his liking for local derbies.
Record signing Carbonari gave Derby victory when he scored a brilliant goal
five minutes from time, beating two defenders before drilling a low 18-yard shot
beyond Mark Crossley and into the far corner.
That was enough to seal all three points for the Rams, who clinched a 2-2 draw
at the City Ground in November courtesy of Carbonari's equaliser.
The Argentinian also cleared Marlon Harewood's first-half effort off the line
as relegation loomed larger than ever for Nottingham Forest, who failed to
capitalise on having an extra man for nearly 20 minutes.
Derby keeper Russell Hoult was sent off on the hour for a professional foul on
Alan Rogers before Forest's Richard Gough was given his marching orders on 79
minutes for his second bookable offence.
But in a match where referee Graham Barber booked four other players, Van
Hooijdonk was allowed to stay on the pitch after the official somehow missed the
Dutchman elbow Vas Borbokis in the face on 10 minutes.
It was therefore ironic that it was the striker who then led the appeals for
Hoult to be sent off after he upended Rogers.
Barber obviously had a better view of that incident and decided to show the
Derby keeper the red card even though his opponent was heading for the corner
flag and away from the danger area.
But the ref then evened things up when he sent off Forest captain Gough, the
Scot being penalised for two fouls on Paulo Wanchope.
Van Hooijdonk was substituted by Neil Shipperley 15 minutes from time and he
shook hands with Barber as he left the field.
And while he is unlikely to have been thanking the referee for not sending him
off, the ex-Celtic forward should certainly be grateful he did not depart the
action a good deal sooner than he did.
In these days of video evidence being used to punish players, Van Hooijdonk
will be very fortunate not to receive some sort of punishment for his assault on
Borbokis.
The former Sheffield United star was groggy as he was helped to his feet
before being stretchered off, went to hospital for X-rays and was believed to be
heavily concussed at the very least.
The then Forest manager Dave Bassett disputed Van Hooijdonk's sending-off at
Leicester in December, when the striker received his marching orders for a late
challenge on Steve Walsh which appeared more clumsy than callous.
But it will be difficult to argue the Dutchman's case after he lashed out at
Borbokis today.
Ten minutes had elapsed as the two chased for a loose ball 30 yards out from
the Derby goal when Van Hooijdonk elbowed the Greek in the face.
Barber was less than 10 yards from the incident and had a clear sight of it
but allowed play to continue.
Borbokis, understandably, immediately fell to the floor and Barber did not
blow his whistle until Forest's attack had broken down and Derby had regained
possession.
It seemed strange the Surrey official missed that encounter, as Van Hooijdonk
would surely have faced a sending off for violent conduct.
However, his misdemeanour went unpunished and it was left for Forest manager
Ron Atkinson to withdraw the Dutchman, who headed straight down the tunnel
without looking at his bench.
Even before today, Forest had as much chance of staying up as Muffin the Mule
had of romping away with the Grand National but the result leaves them within
touching distance of an immediate return to Division One.
Carbonari's goal was one of the very few highlights in a robust encounter
between the two east Midlands rivals which rarely rose above the mediocre.
Crossley made two flying saves to deny Dean Sturridge, while the striker also
sent a 22-yard drive skimming just wide.
For Forest, Harewood was denied by Carbonari and Hoult also saved from Thierry
Bonalair before he was sent off.
An unmarked Van Hooijdonk headed wide from eight yards out after Derby were
reduced to 10 men and in the dying stages Steve Chettle's effort flashed off
target.
But Carbonari's goal was enough to give Derby the win their fans so
desperately craved to nudge Forest nearer to the relegation trapdoor.
Teams
Derby: Hoult, Prior, Carbonari, Laursen, Borbokis (Sturridge 16),
Powell, Bohinen, Baiano (Harper 46), Schnoor, Wanchope,Burton (Poom 60).
Subs Not Used: Dorigo, Elliott.Sent Off: Hoult (60).Goals: Carbonari 85.
Nottm Forest: Crossley, Jean, Gough, Edwards, Bonalair, Johnson,
Palmer, Rogers, Van Hooijdonk (Shipperley 76), Freedman,Harewood (Chettle 79).
Subs Not Used: Goodlad, Woan, Allou.Sent Off: Gough (79).
Booked: Johnson, Rogers, Harewood, Edwards, Gough.Att: 32,217
Ref: G Barber (Pyrford).
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