Match ends, Derby County 2, Norwich City 2.
DerbyDerby County2NorwichNorwich City2
- Derby denied return to the top of the Championship
- Steven Whittaker scores first goal since August 2013
- Chris Martin nets his 15th of the season
- Derby without a win in three
Steven Whittaker prevented Derby from going back to the top of the Championship as he struck late to earn Norwich a point.
Chris Martin's penalty appeared to have earned the Rams a crucial three points with his 15th goal of the campaign.
But they were denied when Whittaker converted Nathan Redmond's corner.
Earlier Johnny Russell had given Derby the lead just prior to the break from Martin's pass before Cameron Jerome levelled from Jonny Howson's ball.
| Ex-Canary flying high |
|---|
| Chris Martin has now scored 42 goals for Derby since leaving Norwich for the East Midlands in February 2013. |
This was a big game for Derby who had lost three out out of their last four matches including a 2-0 loss at Middlesbrough last Saturday and a 3-1 home defeat by Chelsea in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday.
Head coach Steve McClaren was animated as his side struggled to create clear-cut chances in the early stages with Martin's header from Omar Mascarell's corner and a tame Craig Bryson effort the closest they came.
Norwich, who had won their previous two matches, had the ball in the net through Alexander Tettey but the effort was ruled out as Jerome was in an offside position as he dummied the ball.
Russell eased Derby nerves as he broke the deadlock just before half-time, converting from close range after Martin's strength had set up the opportunity.
Norwich levelled early in the second half as Jerome tapped home from Howson's cross but Neil Adams' side were left frustrated after Cueller gave away a penalty, bringing down Martin just inside the area.
The taking of the spot-kick was delayed as the referee spoke to several players but former Canary Martin, who left Carrow Road in 2013, kept his nerve, firing into the corner.
However, Derby could not hold on with Whittaker drilling an effort in off the post after Russell Martin had headed on Redmond's corner.
The result leaves the Rams in fourth position after Saturday's games with Norwich staying in seventh.
Derby head coach Steve McClaren said: "This was always going to be a difficult game - our third in a week coming off the back of the Boro game and the fabulous effort against Chelsea.
"To get the players up for it emotionally was always going to be difficult. We needed to show solidarity and togetherness, grit and determination and character. And we very nearly pulled it off. We made a lot of mistakes and that's what the third game brings you."
Norwich manager Neil Adams said: "We thoroughly deserved the equaliser we got and I thought we deserved to win, to be honest.
"Our plan nearly worked to perfection. They couldn't get into any rhythm. I watched them against Chelsea the other night and they got into rhythm many times that night - against a top, top team. So that tells you how well we did."
Line-ups
Derby
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Grant
- 2Christie
- 6Keogh
- 32Shotton
- 3Forsyth
- 8HendrickSubstituted forHughesat 45'minutes
- 33Mascarell
- 4BrysonBooked at 8minsSubstituted forDawkinsat 74'minutes
- 11Russell
- 9Martin
- 44IbeSubstituted forCouttsat 82'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Dawkins
- 12Naylor
- 16Coutts
- 19Hughes
- 21Roos
- 27Calero
- 30Best
Norwich
Formation 4-1-2-1-2
- 1Ruddy
- 2Whittaker
- 5Martin
- 3CuéllarBooked at 8mins
- 23Olsson
- 27TetteyBooked at 56minsSubstituted forRedmondat 62'minutes
- 28O'NeilSubstituted forGrabbanat 72'minutes
- 4Johnson
- 8Howson
- 11HooperSubstituted forHoolahanat 70'minutes
- 10Jerome
Substitutes
- 6Turner
- 7Grabban
- 9Lafferty
- 14Hoolahan
- 22Redmond
- 24Bennett
- 26Rudd
- Referee:
- Paul Tierney
- Attendance:
- 27,974
Match Stats
Home TeamDerbyAway TeamNorwich
- Possession
- Home43%
- Away57%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away17
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away3
- Corners
- Home1
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Derby County 2, Norwich City 2.
Post update
Lewis Grabban (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Omar Mascarell (Derby County).
Post update
Attempt missed. Cameron Jerome (Norwich City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Post update
Offside, Derby County. Cyrus Christie tries a through ball, but Chris Martin is caught offside.
Post update
Foul by Steven Whittaker (Norwich City).
Post update
Ryan Shotton (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Lewis Grabban (Norwich City) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Goal!
Goal! Derby County 2, Norwich City 2. Steven Whittaker (Norwich City) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Russell Martin with a headed pass following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Norwich City. Conceded by Richard Keogh.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Nathan Redmond (Norwich City) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Martin Olsson.
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Paul Coutts replaces Jordon Ibe.
Post update
Attempt missed. Steven Whittaker (Norwich City) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Nathan Redmond.
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Simon Dawkins replaces Craig Bryson because of an injury.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jonny Howson (Norwich City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Cameron Jerome.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Craig Bryson (Derby County) because of an injury.
Substitution
Substitution, Norwich City. Lewis Grabban replaces Gary O'Neil.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
