Derby faced fellow promotion hopefuls Watford who presented a stern test. Despite prevailing, the Rams had to work hard to come away with 3 points and retain their spot at the top of the Championship.

It felt more like twenty weeks than just two since the Rams dismantled Wolves, with Jordan Ibe the only change to the starting line up from that clash, from the outset it looked as if Derby may just continue where they left off.

The visitors were bright and bubbling as they showed attacking intent in the early stages and Hendrick nearly opened the scoring on 5 minutes when his strike was saved by Hornet keeper Jonathan Bond, who managed to turn the shot onto and out off the post.

Derby were dictating play and the first 20 minutes was all white shirts as Russell, Martin and Ibe all had reasonable opportunity’s to open the Rams account. The finishing touch was lacking and the inability to take the lead allowed Watford to find a foothold and claw their way back into the match.

Dyer finally gave Jack Butland something to do when he fired on goal but his effort proved to be of little concern, especially in comparison to the shots from his team mates Deeney and Forestieri, who both had good chances that Butland did very well to repel.

Forestieri had another chance soon after that was created by Derby giving away the ball cheaply but Craig Forsyth did brilliantly to recover with a great tackle to save the day, just as the trigger was about to be pulled.

Chris Martin should have added to his goal tally when he trapped the ball and skipped away from his marker - instead his low effort was too close to Bond who was able to turn the shot behind.

Watford were clogging up the Rams and the bright play from early in the half was being stifled as yellow shirts got behind the ball. That was until the Rams loanee from Liverpool popped up to once again display his enormous potential.

On 39 minutes Ibe wrong footed Forestieri on edge of the area before unleashing a fabulous curling shot that left Bond clawing at air as it found the far corner.

Martin should have doubled the lead when a Mascarell free kick found the head of the Rams number 9. Instead Bond pulled of a fabulous save which spared the home team having to scale an even higher mountain after half time.

HT: 0-1

The Hornets re-entered the arena obviously determined to produce a far better second 45 and were displaying a far better tempo and possession, as they searched for an equaliser. Forestieri tried from long range on a couple of occasions without result but Watford was soon rewarded for their efforts when on 68 minute, they finally squared the ledger. The build up to the goal was impressive as some great passing resulted in Munari finding himself though on goal - he steadied and shot truly beyond Butland.

Derby looked unable to get into their stride and moments later Hornet’s substitute Vydra nearly stole the lead but luckily for the stuttering Rams, his effort went just wide.

The introduction of Bryson & Dawkins added fresh, quality legs to proceedings and as they began to find some forward thrust, Martin’s personal battle with Bond continued when the Watford keeper once again denied him from point blank range.

But it was Bryson, who after recovering from injury, would have wanted to deliver a good performance to show he deserves to regain his starting spot. If that was his mission, he achieved it in the most spectacular fashion, when he unleashed a 35 yard missile that was never headed anywhere else but the back of the net. 81 minutes gone and the Rams once again had the lead.

Watford refused to go down without a fight as, in his final game for the Rams, Butland gave us two reasons to remember him by making fantastic saves from both Munari and Anya. Some late nerves but Jack kept well in his box!

FT: 1-2

Both Bryson and Butland saved the day for the Rams in what was an impressive performance by The Rams. Yes they ebbed and flowed - but to come to Watford, a place no team had won at this season, and take home all 3 points - is no easy task.

When you consider both Ibe & Bryson were not integral in the win at Wolves, it was even more impressive in terms of a display of depth and options that McClaren has at his disposal.

The win opens up a 3 point gap between the Rams and second place — a gap Derby will be hoping to increase when they travel to meet the Damned next Saturday.

It’s a great time to be a Ram and I have a feeling the good times may just be beginning.

Breathe it in and enjoy!

COYR!!

Match Info / Teams:

Ref: K. Stroud

Crowd: 17,421 (inc. 2004 travelling Rams)

Watford:Bond, Paredes, Ekstrand, Bassong, Doyley; Andrews (Munari 62’), Tozser; Dyer (Anya 73’), Forestieri, Ighalo (Vydra 45’); Deeney.

Unused Subs: Gilmartin, Angella, Cathcart, Murray, Anya

Goals: Munari (67’)

Derby: Butland, Christie, Keogh, Shotton, Forsyth, Mascarell, Hendrick, Hughes (Bryson 66’), Ibe (Dawkins 73’), Russell (Coutts 90’), Martin

Unused Subs: Roos, Buxton, Eustace, Best

Goals: Ibe (39’), Bryson (81’)

Match Stats — Watford / Derby:

Possession: 48% / 52%

Shots On Target: 6 / 6

Shots Off Target: 9 / 5

Corners: 6 / 9

Fouls: 17 / 12

We Said / They Said - Match Reaction:

We Said — Steve McClaren:

"I thought we'd lost our moment. We needed a second goal and we should have had that. We were losing it, having dominated the game for an hour.”

"We played great possession football, some great chances, a great goal and were in the driving seat and in control. But you can't go through 90 minutes at a place like Watford with the quality they've got and not expect to come under some pressure."

They said — Steve Jokanovic:

"We played the first 45 minutes without energy. We didn't play a good game and we didn't press them really. With the goal, we were a little bit scared.”

"We weren't being brave and played many passes at the back slowly. We had many problems in the first 45 minutes."

Highlights / Post Match Interviews:

Up Next For The Rams:

Leeds vs. Derby

Elland Road

3pm - Saturday 29th Of November

COYR!!

Photo: Action Images

Derby County Polls