Pompey brought back down to earth

06 November 2010 20:00
In-form Derby made it five consecutive victories at Pride Park by beating Portsmouth 2-0 to move up to fourth in the npower Championship table. A first half Robbie Savage penalty and a second half strike from Paul Green secured another three points for the resurgent Rams, who are riding on the crest of a wave after a shaky start to the season. Rams skipper Savage slotted home from the spot after Aaron Mokoena upended Tomasz Cywka and Green added a second after the break to end Pompey's run of four consecutive wins in front of the biggest crowd of the season at Pride Park. Derby were clearly brimming with confidence on the back their impressive form of late and they immediately starting to ask questions of the Pompey defence. Green burst forward from midfield after 11 minutes and the Republic of Ireland midfielder got to the byline and cut the ball back for the onrushing Kris Commons, whose right foot effort from eight yards out forced Jamie Ashdown to make an outstanding reflex save. And Derby deservedly took the lead 22 minutes in, when the lively Cywka raced into the penalty area and was brought down by Pompey skipper Mokoena. Referee Colin Webster failed to spot the offence but after consulting with his linesman, he pointed to the spot and Savage held his nerve to send Ashdown the wrong way from 12 yards. The second goal came 12 minutes into the second half when Green laid the ball off to Cywka and the Polish forward got to the byline and returned the ball for Green, who made no mistake with a simple close-range finish.

Source: PA