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.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.The Scot, who was the biggest spender in the Championship this summer, admitted last night: 'I am hugely disappointed.'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.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. Ram home: Shaun Barker (left) celebrates with John BrayfordCommons was at his mercurial best, but Clough responded to enquiries about the player's future by revealing:'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.We don't give contracts away here. They have to be earned.'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.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.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.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.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.Rather than letting this disappointment affect them, however, Derby stepped up the pace and Commons atoned for his timidity.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.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.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.'I know that sounds strange, but we are trying to close people down too quickly and getting picked off.'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.' 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