Source: Daily_Mail
Cardiff 6 Derby 1: Classy Chopra hits four to lead Ram slam
Michael Chopra showed just why Cardiff forked out a record fee to take him back to Wales by scoring four times in the rout of Derby.
Chopra, the Championship's leading scorer, took his season's tally to 11 to help Cardiff end a poor run of results on a night to forget for the Rams.
But the £4million summer signing admitted afterwards he had feared the goals had dried up.
City slickers: Peter Whittingham celebrates his strike past Stephen Bywater as Derby surrender to a rampant Cardiff side
City slickers: Peter Whittingham celebrates his strike past Stephen Bywater as Derby surrender to a rampant Cardiff side
Chopra, 25, said: 'I have lots of belief if I get the chances I will get the goals. I hadn't scored for a few games and was starting to get a little concerned. But I knew I would back in the groove once I got one.'
More...
* Sheff Utd 3 Ipswich 3: Roy Keane's heartbreak! Chris Morgan’s late strike is hard on Ipswich
* Middlesbrough 0 Leicester 1: Dyer makes it dire for Boro's diehards
* Fulham defender Stoor completes month-long loan deal to Derby
Peter Whittingham and Chopra had given Cardiff a two-goal lead after a one-sided first-half.
Rob Hulse punished some sloppy defending to throw Derby a lifeline moments after the break only for Chopra to take over as Cardiff scored four times in amazing 18-minute spell.
Derby County manager Nigel Clough
Hit for six: Derby boss Nigel Clough is dismayed during his side's capitulation
The ex-Sunderland striker beat Stephen Bywater in the 57th minute before completing his hat-trick five minutes later.
Stats Zone
Chris Burke made it five within 30 seconds and then Chopra latched onto Stephen McPhail's pass with 75 minutes on the clock to complete the rout.
Derby boss Nigel Clough said: 'I was disappointed with the goals we let in. There was little to be pleased with.
'We are decimated by injuries and having only six players on the bench says it all.'
