All white night became a Black night for Derby County as rampant Rangers continued their fine run of form with a convincing victory at Pride Park.

Majestic Athletic kindly gave away free t-shirts before the game but it was the same two words which could be used to describe how QPR went about this encounter, however it was The Rams who took the lead after 10 minutes when a clever short free kick from Robbie Savage found Paul Dickov in oceans of space and the veteran cooly slotted home to ease the tension for the home fans.

The persistence of Teale on 18 minutes saw a header from Rob Hulse saved by Cerny but Rangers continued to look dangerous and the game ebbed and flowed like an Fa cup tie .

QPR fans celebrations where short lived when Faurlin effort went into the side netting and although the visitors looked like they had the arsenal to score they seemed insistent on over playing at times.

Derby continued to battle away and got their rewards on 35 minutes when Dickov once more made a nuisance of himself gaining a free kick on the edge of the box which Robbie Savage bent in off the post for his first goal of the season.

The 2 goal cushion did not last too long when Connolly was harshly adjudged to have fouled Tarrabt and it was the same player who stepped up and curled a unstoppable free kick passed the despairing Bywater.

The R'S pushed for an equalizer before half time but Derby stood firm and went into the break with the lead and the free t-shirts still intact.

Derby who had made 4 changes from the midweek defeat v Borro bringing in Stoor , Croft , Dickov & Hughes with Leacock (illness ) Livermore Mceveley , Commons dropping out would have hoped to regroup and regain the impetus but it was Rangers who came out firing and where back on level terms two minutes after the break when school boy defending from Derby gifted Routledge with the opportunity to cut the ball back for Mohan who strocked the ball into the net.

Not content with generously offering Rangers a chance back into the game The Rams defence again allowed Simpson space and he waltzed passed Connolly and put the visitors into the lead.

The natives where getting restless now and Clough finaly took action making 3 substutions bringing on Davies, Pearson , & Livermore for Hughes Dickov and Stoor who seemed to have an injury.

The changes spurred Derby on a little and started to create a reaction With Davies and Hulse having excellent chances but Rangers always looked dangerous on the break.

With a minute to go Moxey who was having a torrid night was found guilty of bringing down the ever dangerous Routledge and Buzaky stepped up to make it 4-2.

The R's boss Jim Magilton asked his players to show character before the game and although i think it would be harsh to suggest The Rams players dint, they where undressed by a free scoring free flowing side who will be in the mix come what MAY.

Derby County: Bywater, Connolly, Barker, Stoor (Livermore 62), Moxey, Croft, Hughes (Pearson 68), Savage, Teale, Dickov (Davies 68), Hulse
Subs: Deeney, Buxton, Pearson, Mills, Hendrie
Bookings: Connolly
Goals: Dickov (10) Savage (36)

Queens Park Rangers: Cerny, Mahon, Stewart, Gorkss, Routledge, Faurlin, Borrowdale, Ramage (Leigertwood 60), Simpson (Vine 75), Tarrabt (Agyemang 75), Buzsaky
Subs: Heaton, Hall, Alberti, Ainsworth
Goals: Tarrabt (40), Mahon (47), Simpson (53), Buzsaky (90 - Pen)

Referee: Mr M Haywood

Attendance: 30,135 (733 Queens Park Rangers Supporters)

bang on mate i rang the phone in last night to put my point about the three lads they had attacking they would rip any ccc team up.

premier ram wrote:bang on mate i rang the phone in last night to put my point about the three lads they had attacking they would rip any ccc team up.

depressing, frustrating, embarrassing.

So many negatives i don't know where to start, so I won't.

On a positive note, Savage took the free kick well. Bywater made some good saves, although I would have like to see more movement from him on the second goal..he is fast becoming my favorite Ram...also see that he and Savage were the only Rams to shown up at the post match meet in the Pedigree suite. BYWATER GET YA RAT OUT!

what else...maybe I expect less as the quality of play is far lower over here, but I thought Croft and Teale were decent, but obviously not spectacular. I guess that shows my understanding of the game as most everyone else agrees they were crap.

not much else to say.