Match Report

Derby County

Tottenham Hotspur

Poom, C. Powell, D. Powell (Rowett, 74), Yates, Stimac, Sturridge, Wanchope, Laursen, Carsley, Eranio, Baiano (Willems, 86).

Attendance
30,187

Referee
G S Willard

Baardsen, Fox, Ferdinand, Carr, Ginola, Vega, Wilson (Domingues, 82), Sinton (Howells, 74), Campbell, Klinsmann, Berti.

Subs not used: Hoult, Dailly, Burton.

Subs not used: Grodas, Calderwood, Clemence.

Booked: C. Powell, Carsley, Eranio.

Booked: Ginola, Sinton.

Goal Scorer: Sturridge 25, Wanchope 77

Goal Scorer: Fox 46

    Tottenham paid the penalty for more defensive frailty as Paulo Wanchope struck a late winner to give Derby a 2-1 win in the FA Carling Premiership and plunge Christian Gross' side deeper into relegation trouble.
    The Costa Rican star has had a lean time in front of goal in recent months after bursting explosively into the Premiership.
    But he was able to capitalise on hesitancy by England striker Les Ferdinand in his own penalty area to grab his 12th goal of the campaign 13 minutes from time.
    The visitors had also gifted Dean Sturridge their opening goal via a mis-timed back pass from Clive Wilson and they cannot afford to be so lax at the back if they are to remain in the top flight.

    There was little wrong with the rest of their performance as they dominated territorially and were inspired by another sparkling performance from David Ginola.
    But the Frenchman must be full of frustration as time and again his defenders have undone his good work in recent weeks, and left Spurs with a mountain to climb to stay up.
    For Derby, the dream of attaining a place in Europe via the UEFA Cup goes on. They may have ridden their luck in their last two League matches with Blackburn and Spurs but are sitting proudly in the top six.
    Jim Smith's side defended doggedly, with Dean Yates outstanding, and always looked menacing on the break.
    Straight from the kick-off, Ginola and Ruel Fox worked the ball out to Les Ferdinand and his shot from the right hand side of the penalty area thudded against the crossbar with Derby keeper Mart Poom stranded.

    Tottenham were playing with great confidence for a side battling against the drop and Poom blocked a shot from Fox after another decisive run from Ginola had created the opening.
    But Spurs looked shaky at the back on the few occasions that Derby ventured forward - and they paid the penalty for a dreadful mix-up in the 25th minute. Poom's long clearance was turned back towards his own goal by Steve Carr and there appeared little danger as Clive Wilson tried to shepherd the ball back towards Espen Baardsen.
    But his headed pass fell woefully short and Sturridge needed no second invitation as he volleyed a left footed shot past the Spurs keeper from 10 yards out.
    Tottenham continued to dominate but they looked to have a massive let-off in the 36th minute when Wilson chopped down Sturridge for a blatant looking penalty.
    However, to Sturridge's and most other people's amazement referee Gary Willard indicated that the Derby player had taken a dive.
    The statistics for the opening 45 minutes revealed that Sturridge's gift-wrapped goal was the only effort on target for The Rams.

    Tottenham needed only 18 seconds of the second half to get back on level terms - with just about the first worthwhile contribution from Jurgen Klinsmann.
    The German star picked the ball up on the left flank, cut into the area and past the challenge of Jacob Laursen before squaring the ball across goal to Fox.
    The former Newcastle player made no mistake in planting a low drive past Poom from 12 yards out.
    Tottenham continued to look the more menacing but they had Wilson to thank for remaining on level terms as he partially atoned for his first half blunder.
    Baiano's centre picked out Sturridge and his powerful header beat Baardsen all ends up but was headed off the line by Wilson.
    Ginola was still dictating matters for Tottenham and one move involving the Frenchman, Wilson and Andy Sinton ended with Poom beating out Fox's half volley at the far post.
    But 13 minutes from time Ferdinand hesitated fatally when attempting to clear a ball bouncing around in the area and Wanchope nipped in to plant a cross-shot past Baarsden.

	See the goal...
	Hear the goal...