As a Derby County fan I was expecting to be celebrating the first three points in eight games as the Rams took on bottom of the table Sunderland. Derby however always like to surpass themselves at this time of the season and they did it in embarrassing style tonight as they slumped to a 1-4 defeat against the Black Cats.
The win takes Sunderland off the foot of the table but surprisingly doesn’t drop the Rams from their fifth place in the table.
Horrendous defending and a lack of concentration put Sunderland two goals up. An own goal gifted by Craig Forsyth, when trying to put the ball out for a corner kick started the downhill path for Derby. Then a lack of concentration by skipper Richard Keogh giving the ball away culminated in Sunderland’s second Goal.
There was a ray of light before half time when Matej Vydra halved the lead, with a well taken goal.
The second period was meant to be the come-back by Derby County but were their own worst enemies again as a crazy challenge in the penalty area by Forsyth effectively handed all three points to Sunderland as they converted the resulting penalty to make the score 1-3.
As if there wasn’t enough cause for Sunderland joy and Derby embarrassment a fourth goal for the black cats was scored John O’Shea
His first since 2013 !
Derby County now face an uphill challenge to keep themselves in the Championship play-off positions after yet another catastrophic slide following the Christmas period, where the Rams sat second in the league.