Paul Peschisolido proved to be Forest's nemesis once again as Derby gained a
vital three points from this explosive east midlands derby.
The striker, whose goal for Sheffield United ended Forest's Division One
play-off hopes at the semi-final stage last season, scored two and made the
others in a virtuoso display.
Goals from Gareth Taylor and Gareth Williams dragged Forest back into
contention but Derby held firm to move to within a point of their arch-rivals at
the foot of the first division.
Rams captain Ian Taylor converted his ninth goal after just four minutes with
a cool right-foot finish after Peschisolido's pass had dissected the Forest
defence.
Derby took complete control midway through the half when a goalkeeping howler
from Forest's stand-in stopper Barry Roche invited Peschisolido to tap home one
of the simplest goals he will ever score.
Roche took a swing and missed Wes Morgan's back-pass after the ball appeared
to hit a piece of litter, and the Canadian striker needed no second invitation
to tap home.
His second goal came via a more traditional route - Roche this time blameless
as a well-struck left-foot shot flashed past him into the bottom corner
following Marcus Tudgay's through ball.
Joe Kinnear had seen enough shortly after the half-hour mark and threw on
David Johnson in place of Nick Barmby.
Johnson, who made his name under Derby boss George Burley while the pair were
at Ipswich, posed the home side fresh problems and ensured Forest ended the
first period on the front foot.
The visitors gained a lifeline seconds before the break when Gareth Taylor
converted his second goal in four days with a courageous, diving header from
Matthieu Louis-Jean's cross.
Derby defender Richard Jackson failed to appear for the second half, and his
replacement Paul Boertin was immediately under pressure.
After Andy Impey went close from distance, Forest's hopes of taking something
from the game were raised when Williams converted his third goal in a week from
close range. Taylor headed Eoin Jess' cross against the crossbar, and Williams
prodded home from the ensuing scramble.
That revival was ended eight minutes from time when Peschisolido found Tudgay,
whose deflected shot left Roche with no chance.
Teams
Derby: Grant, Kenna, Johnson, Mawene, Jackson (Boertien 45),
Costa (Holmes 72), Taylor, Huddlestone, Osman, Tudgay,
Peschisolido.
Subs Not Used: Oakes, Labarthe Tome, Whelan.
Goals: Taylor 4, Peschisolido 28, 37, Tudgay 82.
Nottm Forest: Roche, Louis-Jean, Dawson, Morgan, Impey, Jess,
Williams, Sonner, Reid, Taylor, Barmby (Johnson 35).
Subs Not Used: Formann, Thompson, Doig, Westcarr.
Booked: Impey, Reid, Williams, Taylor.
Goals: Taylor 45, Williams 67.
Att: 32,390
Ref: D Pugh (Merseyside).
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