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Match Report
 

Proud Bore

                Derby County                               0
 
                                Newcastle United                          0
 

                                            Derby were able to celebrate safety at Pride Park this
                                           afternoon even though results elsewhere rendered their
                                           point against Newcastle meaningless. Starting the game
                                           needing a draw to maintain their Premiership status, the
                                           Rams controlled the contest for long periods and always
                                           looked likely to earn a share of the spoils. It could have
                                           been more but Newcastle keeper Shay Given was able to pull
                                           off a superb late stop to deny Deon Burton's near-post flick
                                           eight minutes from time.

                                           But while the Republic of Ireland man's own skill was
                                           responsible for keeping that effort out, he had to rely on
                                           good fortune to keep his goal in tact at the start of the
                                           game.

                                           Giorgi Kinkladze has been frustratingly inconsistent since
                                           moving to the midlands on loan from Ajax. But the magic
                                           remains in his feet and Newcastle were left trailing in his
                                           wake after just eight minutes when the Georgian took
                                           possession on halfway. Jinking past two defenders,
                                           Kinkladze continued to advance as the Magpies stood off
                                           and from the edge of the area, lifting a chip over Given and
                                           against underside of the Newcastle crossbar.

                                           For a brief spell, it seemed as though the former Manchester
                                           City man might win the match on his own. But wily Newcastle
                                           boss Bobby Robson withdrew Alessandro Pistone, threw on
                                           Didier Domi and put the message across to his midfield to
                                           make some tackles.

                                           Former England man Rob Lee led the charge, booked almost
                                           instantly for a crunching challenge on Kinkladze inside the
                                           Derby half. The after-effects of that tackle ultimately caused
                                           Rams boss Jim Smith to withdraw his star man at the break,
                                           a disappointing end to an afternoon which had promised
                                           much.

                                           Lee could easily have seen red when he caught Burton
                                           shortly afterwards and, although his scheming was largely
                                           effective, it was a timely blast of the whistle for half-time
                                           which allowed him a chance to cool his temper after tugging
                                           Kinkladze to the ground just before the break.
 
                                           Adam Murray should have given Derby the lead within the
                                           opening four minutes. The youngster showed composure
                                           and and an excellent awareness of space to allow Burton's
                                           lofted pass to bounce on the edge of the area. But his shot
                                           was too near Given, although the Republic of Ireland keeper
                                           did well to save and scramble the rebound away from his
                                           goal as the home attack scented blood.

                                           Mart Poom accepted the Derby player of the year award
                                           shortly before kick-off but he didn't have to make any
                                           wonder saves in the first half to celebrate. A push round his
                                           post from Temuri Ketsbaia and a save low to his right from
                                           Gary Speed was the sum total of his efforts, although
                                           Warren Barton did drill a fierce shot wide from the Newcastle
                                           right and Nolberto Solano flicked a free-kick off the Derby
                                           wall.

                                           The withdrawal of Kinkladze didn't help Newcastle start the
                                           second half any better than they had the first. With former
                                           Celtic man Craig Burley outstanding in the heart of midfield,
                                           much of the Magpies' most likely attacking moves were
                                           strangled far from goal.

                                           Alan Shearer barely had a sight of Poom all afternoon and it
                                           was Lee who came closest to opening the visitors' account
                                           with a powerful right-foot drive which flashed over the
                                           crossbar. Even the introduction of Kevin Gallacher failed to
                                           ignite his old Blackburn sparring partner and the speed of
                                           Burton, Malcolm Christie and second-half arrival Dean
                                           Sturridge ensured the visitors were usually stretched at the
                                           back.

                                           Aaron Hughes made instant amends for what could have
                                           been a catastrophic blunder when he attempted to steer
                                           pressure away from his own goal by nodding a long ball from
                                           Burton away from Given at close range. Unfortunately,
                                           Sturridge was in close attendance and reached the loose ball
                                           first, shooting first time towards an empty net only for
                                           Hughes to get a block in.
 
                                           A rare Newcastle strike on goal left Stefan Schnoor clutching
                                           his stomach after taking the full impact of Temuri Ketsbaia's
                                           shot. It was the visitors last effort worthy of note and greater
                                           reward than a point they did not deserve.