Source: Daily_Mail
Derby 3 Middlesbrough 1: Rams heap the pressure on Gordan Strachan
Kris Commons heaped more pressure on under-achieving Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan with two stunning goals in Boro's latest away failure.[LNB]Both sides constantly created chances but while Derby appeared to be on an upswing, Boro's wretched form on the road continues to pose questions about Strachan's judgment.[LNB]The Scot, who was the biggest spender in the Championship this summer, admitted last night: 'I am hugely disappointed.'[LNB]If Commons thought his match- winning display would lead to the prompt offer of a new contract, Derby boss Nigel Clough was quick to disabuse him after the rip-roaring victory.[LNB]The Scotland midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of the season, missed a penalty but then laid on the equaliser before scoring twice with stunning long-range strikes as his team followed up Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace with yet another potent display.[LNB] Ram home: Shaun Barker (left) celebrates with John Brayford[LNB]Commons was at his mercurial best, but Clough responded to enquiries about the player's future by revealing:[LNB]'We haven't mentioned a new contract yet. 'Perhaps if he produces a few more performances and goals like that, there will be something on the table.[LNB]We don't give contracts away here. They have to be earned.'[LNB]Clough's demand for Derby to stop blowing hot and cold drew the perfect response as they turned in a sizzling display to add to the woes of a Middlesbrough side that has taken only one point from five League away games after starting the season as promotion favourites.[LNB]Despite seizing the lead with a smart, glancing header from KrisBoyd, Boro displayed a worrying lack of resilience as Derby sweptforward with power, pace and invention.[LNB]In the programme, Clough demanded more consistency and a killerinstinct and, apart from Commons's penalty miss, that was exactly whathe got from his side.[LNB]Boyd repaid the decision to recall him after several poorperformances by converting a neat cross from Barry Robson in the 20thminute - the first away goal of the season from a Boro player.[LNB]Derby should have been level in two minutes when Jason Steelescythed down on-loan striker Shefki Kuqi to concede a penalty butCommons wasted the kick with an easily saved side foot.[LNB]Rather than letting this disappointment affect them, however, Derby stepped up the pace and Commons atoned for his timidity.[LNB]He provided the corner from which Shaun Barker headed in Derby'sequaliser two minutes into first-half injury time, and burst forwardafter a surging run from Robbie Savage, curling in a superb left-footshot to put the hosts ahead just after the break.[LNB]He then produced an even more stunning finish, after a short corner,picking his spot from wide on the left with a swerving shot that leftSteele clawing at fresh air.[LNB]Strachan said: 'We did a lot right in this game and there were somegood individual performances but sometimes, unfortunately, we seem tobe trying too hard.[LNB]'I know that sounds strange, but we are trying to close people down too quickly and getting picked off.[LNB]'That is allowing people to get shots on our goal and we are goingthrough one of those spells when everything seems to be flying in.'[LNB] Burnley 4 Hull 0: Doubles from Chris Iwelumo and Chris Eagles help to easily see off TigersNorwich 4 Leicester 3: Pressure piles on Paulo Sousa after another defeat[LNB][LNB]
