What’s the first thing you think of when you think of the play-offs? Tight, cagey affairs, normally decided by the odd goal? A penalty shoot-out? Nails being bitten to knuckle level?
Hands up who associates them with an absolute rout, where your beloved side completes a fourth win of the season over the hapless opposition to spark joyous scenes and a pitch invasion?
Perhaps when you are sound asleep but not in reality. Except I have pinched myself several times today and it still seems to be true.
Looking back, the whole build-up of the day emanated positive vibes. The pre-match refreshments were stretched out by a couple of hours, the big occasion proving thirsty work.
Soon the singing started. Even the sight of a few overzealous Rams being escorted out of the boozer didn’t dampen proceedings (the staff obviously not impressed by the punters’ Picasso inspired, ‘lager on the ceiling’ vibe.)
The Derbados weather though had threatened to be the biggest dampener, with the skies changing more than Oscar Pistorious’ defence story.
At one point, Noah was spotted with his black and white ark on Brian Clough Way. Thankfully, the clouds parted long enough for us to file out and put our snorkels away as we approached the ground.
I was asked, ‘Could Brighton claw it back’?
Well, back was the key, well if you were Craig Bryson anyhow, the supporter’s player of the year cruelly ruled out through injury. With the Scot’s omission confirmed, the nerves suddenly started. We would miss his energy, his running, his goals. Wouldn’t we? Well no, as it transpired, we had a man named Hughes to fill the gap. And then some.
Taking my seat (or standing in front of it) the ground was a glorious display of black and white. Flags, scarves, hats. Cows. Zebras! A crescendo as Keogh led the boys out and then something strange happened. Where was the horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach? It wasn’t there!
Neither, it seemed, were Brighton in the opening exchanges, as the much anticipated early onslaught after their strong finish at the Amex not materialising. Grant, the hero of the hour on Thursday evening, was forced only into the basics as we began brightly. Thorne stabbed wide before a couple of bursts from Hughes only served to galvanise the crowd more.
We looked anything but edgy as our passes looked crisp and sharp on the slick surface. Lining up with similar formations, the key area looked to be in the middle of the park, with the trio starting brightly. Backed by a superb vocal following, the first-fifteen flew by without any alarm.
The first half chance then fell to Wisdom, the right back cutting in from the wing before shooting left-footed at Kuszczak’s near-post.
Pleasingly, we were starting to get a real-stranglehold on our individual battles, with Lindgard’s break and subsequent fall down the centre the only sight of the Seagull’s soaring.
Ulloa, the obvious threat, had obviously been watching his countryman Suarez; such was his consistent and laughable moaning at the referee.
A plus point soon came when the Brighton skipper Greer was forced off due to him contracting ‘Chrismartinitis’ and joining partner Upson on the sidelines.
Hendrick then caused the official to venture into his pocket for the first time, his slide tackle on Ince deemed worthy of a booking. Apparently, Brandon Flowers lookalike Garcia in the away dug-out wanted red. One can only hope he isn’t a Strictly Come Dancing fan, or he’d be claiming GBH during the tango…
As the half-wore on and the singing got louder, we started to assert real control. Forsyth’s typical darting run culminated in a shot just wide of the near post.
A floated free-kick then saw Bucko rise highest, only for his header to drop behind Martin. You felt though, that it wouldn’t be long and sure enough, the roof was soon raised.
Ward, enjoying a good tussle with Calderon, with many of his forays baring fruit, did well to retrieve the loose ball near the by-line, before cutting back to Forsyth. The Scot fizzed in a low ball that found Bryson, or was that Hughes, arriving perfectly with his late run into the box. What followed was majestic as the youngster didn’t break stride before nonchalantly flicking the ball with his instep into the corner.
A finish that, I must confess, didn’t register as being so sublime until seeing the replay after pandemonium had ensued.
With the iPro as loud as I have ever heard it, we threatened to go for the kill. Russell broke away from his man before cutting a dangerous ball in, before Ward tried to beat too many with others well placed.
The closest moment to a second though came when the tireless Ward charged down a clearance from Kuszczak, only to see the ball bounce of the turf and drop agonizingly over. Head in hands… and that was just me.
The number of fifty-fifty’s coming out to a white shirt though was superb, with everyone wanting a touch. Just as we could sense the interval, Brighton served notice that this was still a play-off semi.
A clever chipped ball in found Ulloa who had beaten the static Rams offside trap and bore down on Grant. Just as at the Amex though, the Derby stopper had the answers, rushing off his line well to smother the effort. Another crucial save, with the only surprising thing being that Ulloa didn’t claim handball against the goalie…
Half-time then and the raucous ovation was well deserved. The comfort break brought the chat about, ‘well if they score next it’s game-on’, but really, in my heart of hearts, I knew it wouldn’t happen like that. Even in my slumbers though, I wouldn’t have imagined what came next as we produced arguably the best performance of the season when it really mattered.
Led superbly from the back, there was never a sniff of a comeback from the Seagulls. Surprisingly, there was no great urgency from the visitors, no great tempo or anything to make me hide behind my scarf. Instead, it was the Rams who gloriously pinged the ball around at will. Thorne was flowering, marshalling the midfield with an authority that Brighton couldn’t match.
With 56 played, it was time to dig out the sat-nav and type in, ‘Wembley Way.’
Russell swung in a deep cross from the right, where Ward found himself unmarked to nod invitingly across. A pair of defenders looked favourite to clear, but they hadn’t reckoned on the 18:30 Chris Martin express, which came thundering in to stab home.
2-0 (4-1) and surely job done.
The party had only just started when Ward almost made it three, although Kuszczak didn’t get the memo about being the clown, diving to his left to brilliantly turn it wide.
It was then that the whole stadium came together to remember those lost at the fire of Valley Parade in 1985. Given the magnitude of the game, there was something fantastically special about the whole ground standing as one to acclaim those lost.
On the pitch though, it was turning into the complete performance. The play was akin to that of a computer game, such were the fluidity and frequency of our passes.
Restricted to long-range efforts, LuaLua and Mackail-Smith gave Grant some handling practice, the first of which was superbly gathered, given that the Derby heavens had opened again.
After Ward had departed the scene to a standing ovation and Dawkins had replaced him, there was still time to dip into the top drawer again for goal number three.
Russell’s burst saw him breeze past his man, only to see his cutback lead to Dawkins being blocked off. No matter though as twenty-five yards out was Thorne. As soon as the dropping ball had left his foot, I knew it was there and we were there (if we needed anymore confirmation!). A brilliantly volley which left Kuszczak clawing at Derbyshire air and left Thorne to start the pile-on.
Jumping up and down for the umpteenth time, I tried to let the moment sink in. This was the play-offs, teams didn’t play this well and didn’t win this convincingly. As the Brighton fans commendably continued singing, barbs of, ‘you’re gonna lose in the final,’ were brushed aside. There would be no Seagulls on Wembley Way. That was all that mattered.
If Thorne’s strike was the cherry on top of the cake, then the fourth was the chocolate sprinkles. Substitute Bamford, on for Russell, played a clever one-two in the box with Hendrick, with the Irishman the beneficiary of the cut-back to lash home unmarked.
It was then when I’m sure I saw Steve smiling.
Just about.
LuaLua then played the role of the unwanted guest at the party, slotting home a low drive following a smart ball across the box.
Brighton cheered.
We cheered.
It mattered not - we were soon bouncing again.
Just as when we smashed the red-dogs, it was the kind of game that you wished would go on and on. The magician left the party, Hughes replaced by Eustace but it was all gloriously academic.
No stress. No drama - only the site of hoards of black and white streaming down the stairs to be in pole-position for the pitch-invasion.
We were told to stay off the pitch. The half-hearted gaggle of stewards told you that wasn’t going to happen.
It was left, as at any party, for one or two morons to let themselves down, by entering the field of play when the game was still going. Credit to the ref though, who let common sense prevail, quickly rounding-up proceedings and charging headlong to the showers.
As in 2007, supporters streamed onto the soggy turf. Messers Keogh, Buxton and Wisdom were mobbed.
I’m sure Garcia wasn’t watching or the police would have been called.
And Ulloa would have appealed for a foul.
Finally making my way onto the hallowed turf, there was the feeling that something had already been achieved.
As the players came out to salute the crowd from the executive boxes, there came the nerves that I hadn’t had all day. It hit me. We’re one game from the Promised Land.
As I type this, QPR were confirmed as the final hurdle.
Come on Derby.
Do it for football!
Lee Grant - 8: Superb in both legs, crucial save from Ulloa with game at 1-0.
Craig Forsyth - 8: Brilliant yet again, another assist to boot.
Andre Wisdom - 8: Superb and steady as always. Didn’t put a foot wrong.
Jake Buxton - 9 How much will walking out at Wembley mean to Bucko! Colossal!!
Richard Keogh - 8: Fantastic, led by example. Never a danger of the back-line being breached more than once.
Jeff Hendrick - 8: Another goal and another good performance.
Will Hughes - 9:Scary to think that he would have been sat on the bench if Bryson was fit. Ran, tackled, passed. A number of contenders but for his sublime goal, he gets WESTON’S STAR MAN!
George Thorne - 9 Very close to getting star man. Swept everything up, tackled superbly and a brilliant goal.
Jamie Ward - 8 Lively, threatening, creative. The Ward we know and love.
Johnny Russell — 8 Always a threat, links superbly and always sharp.
Chris Martin — 9 Must love playing against Brighton. Absolutely unplayable at times. Wrap him up in cotton wool for Wembley!
Subs:
Simon Dawkins - 7: Always makes something happen.
Patrick Bamford - 7: Set-up Hendrick well.
John Eustace — 7: Saw it out!
We said - Derby Gaffer Super Steve Mclaren:
"It will be hugely enjoyable to lead a very, very talented Derby County squad out at Wembley. We wanted a performance after a rather ugly 2-1 victory at Brighton, and boy did we get one. We were awesome, mixing energy and entertainment to thrill our wonderful supporters.”
"We looked a damned good side and were almost perfect.”
Man of the Match - Will Hughes
"I don’t think the fans realise just how much it helps us, especially in games like this. They were like a 12th man out there. It gets you going as a player and gets you motivated.”
"When the final whistle went, it was one of the best feelings, it was a massive relief.”
Hughes about THAT goal…
"It was a really good cross from Fozzy and had good pace on it. That allowed me to direct it on target and the fact it went in made it even sweeter.”
They said - Brighton Gaffer Oscar Garcia
"The first goal was always going to be important but the second was a big blow for us and we couldn't take it. 'We were just about to make two substitutions before it. But, to be honest, they were much better than us.”
"We played much better in the first leg and deserved much more but, in the second leg, they were much better than us. Over the two legs they are a better team than us and they deserve to be in the final game.”
Possession: 55% / 45%
Shots (On Target): 14 (7) / 7 (4)
Corners: 6 / 1
Fouls: 11 / 15
Yellow Cards: 1 / 3
Referee: Craig Pawson
Derby County: Grant, Wisdom, Keogh (C), Buxton, Forsyth, Thorne, Hendrick, Hughes (Eustace 85), Ward (Dawkins 67), Russell (Bamford 78), Martin.
Substitutes: Legzdins, Sammon, Naylor, Whitbread.
Goals: Hughes (34’), Martin (56’), Thorne (76’), Hendrick (87’)
Brighton & Hove Albion: Kuszczak, Calderon, Greer (C) (Chicksen 24), Ward, Dunk, Andrews, Ince, Orlandi (Mackail-Smith 57), Lingard, Ulloa, Buckley (Lua Lua 57).
Substitutes: Forster-Caskey, March, Brezovan, Agustien.
Goals: LuaLua (89’)
Derby County vs. Queens Park Rangers
3pm - Saturday May 24th
Wembley Stadium