Rare error turns Green red
Derby County 2 Norwich City 1
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.If George Burley, the former Ipswich manager standing in for the suspended John Gregory at Derby, draws extra pleasure from hampering Norwich's promotion challenge in his first match in charge at Pride Park, then even he will have some sympathy for Robert Green, the Norwich goalkeeper.
Nigel Worthington's attractive team, trying to repeat last season's late entry into the play-off picture, may have deserved a point from an evenly contested game but left with none after the 23-year-old Green suffered a nightmare moment 12 minutes into the second half, failing to connect as he attempted to clear a routine back-pass and allowing the ball to slip under his foot into an empty net.
After an inspirational Craig Burley had cancelled out Paul McVeigh's spectacular opener for the visitors, Green's howler enabled George Burley to take a significant step to keeping Derby out of the relegation zone while the club decides what to do about "serious allegations" against Gregory.
The exact nature of those allegations has not been spelled out, but it is difficult to avoid jumping to cynical conclusions over the timing of his enforced leave – Derby had gone nine games without a win.
Burley is in charge on a "game-to-game basis" but that did not stop him taking an axe to Gregory's team, making eight changes. Packing the side with experience, his most significant move was to restore his nephew, Craig, with whom Gregory had fallen out, to the centre of midfield. He was rewarded both with a goal and a superb performance.
Norwich, however, scored first after 10 minutes. McVeigh, the Northern Ireland forward, drifted inside from the left and beat Andy Oakes with a looping shot from 30 yards. It was a magnificent effort but there were some accusing looks exchanged between Derby defenders.
"What pleased me most was that heads never dropped," George Burley said. His nephew set the example, taking charge of midfield in the absence of the suspended Rob Lee yet still managing to be in the right place to equalise after 24 minutes. Fabrizio Ravanelli found Paul Boertien with a splendid pass into the left-wing channel, then stepped over his colleague's return ball allowing Burley to thump it home.
It was after Darren Kenton passed back that Green, a fine goalkeeper, suffered the kind of horror every member of his profession dreads. "I scored an own goal just like it when I was at Blackpool, so I know it can happen," Worthington said. "Robert is a strong character and he'll get over it." With rivals Ipswich beaten and Wolves held to a draw, Norwich's promotion drive may yet recover too.
Derby County 2
Burley 24, Kenton og 57
Norwich City 1
McVeigh 10
Half-time: 1-1 Attendance: 23,643
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments