MD5: 17.09 Derby 1 Newcastle 0

[kennethlindheim]

Derby County will be praying that they can stop the rot as they head into a tough test against a rejuvenated Newcastle United side.

It has been a torrid start to the season for Billy Davies' men, but Monday night's clash at Pride Park provides them with the opportunity to avoid a fifth successive Premier League defeat.

The Rams' defence has been frail and often exposed, and following the 6-0 drubbing against Liverpool their main concern early on will be to keep it tight at the back.

In defence the experienced Darren Moore (knee) is a doubt, but 23-year-old Dean Leacock is pushing for a place after returning from injury.

Promising midfielder Giles Barnes is back in full training, but is still a couple of weeks away from making his return to the first-team.

Craig Fagan is absent as he begins his four-game ban, so Derby's £3million striker Kenny Miller is in line to make his debut after recovering from a hamstring injury.

The Scotsman is likely to be partnered with front-man Robert Earnshaw, as Derby look to find the balance between pushing for goals and protecting their backline.

Sam Allardyce has led The Magpies to their best start in six seasons, and victory tonight would be their first set of back-to-back victories in 23 league matches.

United are still without long-term absentees Stephen Carr (hamstring), Damien Duff (ankle), Joey Barton (foot), Celestine Babayaro (groin) and Peter Ramage (knee).

Emre is a doubt after picking up a knock playing for Turkey, while Jose Enrique and Mark Viduka face late fitness tests on their respective hamstring injuries

The Newcastle boss has hinted that transfer deadline day signings Habib Beye and Adoulaye Faye could make their debuts for the club, while the in-form Michael Owen should lead the line.

Sky Sports | Football | Match Preview | Derby v Newcastle - 17th September 2007

[Mighty T.A.L.]

1-0 Derby half time...Kenny Miller with a fantastic goal from 20 yards right up corner.Harper had no chance.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Huge step back for Newcastle yesterday when they lost 1-0 to Derby.The second half was absolutely awful from N'castle. N'Zogbia and Butt played real shite. And what influence have Alan Smith on the team? What he only do is collecting cards. Awful signing. Smith is shite on the midfield. Up front he's just another Heskey, only weaker.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce insists Michael Owen is not injured and will be fit to face West Ham on Sunday. The England striker was substituted after 55 minutes in Monday's 1-0 Premier League defeat at Derby. Allardyce says Owen had complained of a groin injury during the interval so he was taken off purely as a precaution.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Derby earn first win

A debut strike from Kenny Miller earned Derby their first win of the season in a 1-0 victory over Newcastle.

Miller struck in the 39th minute to score his first goal for Derby since his transfer deadline day £3million move from Celtic and steered the Rams away from the bottom spot of the Premier League.

The game had been a tough encounter up until that point with Newcastle, who slumped to their first defeat of the campaign, showing control in possession but lacking any real cutting edge.

Derby manager Billy Davies chose to freshen up his side with Miller taking the suspended Craig Fagan's place and Dean Leacock and Eddie Lewis restored to the side after shaking off injuries.

Newcastle recalled Shola Ameobi to their first XI with Mark Viduka (hamstring) not risked and Obafemi Martins on the bench.

Positive start

The home side got off to a positive start with Steve Howard lining up a shot and seeing his effort pushed out for a corner after just 30 seconds.

Newcastle had a chance to hit back when Stephen Pearson, who was influential through out, gave away a free-kick outside his own area but Charles N'Zogbia could not test Stephen Bywater in the home goal.

Tyrone Mears then forced Steve Harper into a save in the 10th minute, cutting inside David Rozehnal and firing hard and low at the United shot-stopper who parried at the first attempt.

Newcastle served notice of their attacking threat when a quick pass to James Milner down the left caught the Derby defence cold, but when the ball came to Rozehnal 12 yards out - and with Bywater nowhere - he powered the ball wide of the left-hand post.

Derby then showed their intent when Miller was released, but the danger passed. However the 27-year-old did not have to wait long to open his Derby account.

Miller was 35 yards out when he spotted Harper out of his goal and took an instant to volley a looping effort into the roof of the net six minutes before the break.

Ineffective

Early in the second half Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce took off Michael Owen, who was ineffective throughout as he struggled with a groin injury, as United desperately sought a cutting edge.

Matt Oakley, who was comfortably winning his battle with Alan Smith in the middle then found some space before firing high over the crossbar as he looked for a third goal of the season.

While none of Newcastle's strikers were able to find an opening as inviting as Rozehnal's in the first half, fellow defender Steven Taylor did after an hour, snatching at his finish and failing to force a save.

The hosts continued to make the most of their possession but, with 22 minutes remaining, Howard, a boyhood Newcastle fan, was beginning to frustrate with his accuracy.

His best chance of the match found him climbing highest six yards from goal but he missed once again with the full net to aim at.

Gary Teale then produced a pinpoint cross with nine minutes remaining but again Howard's finishing let him down as his diving header flashed wide with Harper static, however one goal was to prove to be enough as Derby claimed the points.

Skysports

[NimcHE]

I didn't belive when i saw the end of the game Derby 1:0 Newcastle

[NimcHE]

some times the lowest teams(i must say soo)can suprise you

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Owen injured again?

"Sadly for me and him, he wanted to carry on but he felt his groin at half-time. I just didn't want to take any risks. I let him go out (for the second half) but didn't think he looked very comfortable so I put Oba on pretty quick."
Sam Allardyce

[Pennywise]

Back to good, old days for Newcastle United.

Horrible, tragic and puzzled.

I haven't seen so much matches were N'castle have been worser than last night.

[Buddha14]

Fucking good goal though

[kennethlindheim]

I dont' know where to start. I can't belive Newcastle played 90 minutes and did absolutley nothing right. I've never been so furious, and I have never seen them play so rotten. It was so terrible it shouldn't happen again this season.

Butt, Ameobi, Smith and N'Zogbia had a stinker of a game.

We seriously need Barton back and we need Zoggy playing on the left-wing instead of being starved at left-back. Hopefully Enrique will play some part next time around, but he needs games quickly.

The midfield were so bad that Rozenhal and Taylor was trying to burst forward to support the front two!

Hopefully at least one or two changes are made because we can't go on relying on Shola for the big man little man partnership because it was clear it didn't work. Smith should also be placed on the bench. Smith being the captain the last 20 minutes was a disgrace.