Strupar scuppers Spurs

Andy Oakes defiant as Tim Sherwood challenges

Derby 2-1 Spurs

A first-half double from Branko Strupar gave Derby the points against a woeful Tottenham at Pride Park.

The Belgian grabbed his first after stabbing home from a corner on 11 minutes as a determined Derby looked to pull further away from the relegation zone.

Strupar's second, on 33 minutes, came from the penalty spot after Alton Thelwell blundered and then brought down Malcolm Christie.

The visitors were given hope when Taribo West headed past his own keeper after 70 minutes but the Rams held on for all three points.

Spurs failed throughout to cope with Strupar and Christie and themselves showed little punch in front of goal in the absence of the injured Sergei Rebrov.

After a dull opening only Seth Johnson oozed any quality and he seemed to be the only player who could find a shirt of his own colour.

I think we're looking at 40 points but even if we were to pick up three points in the next game we've got to keep playing right to the end of the season to get as many points as possible

  Derby assistant manager Colin Todd

Craig Burley had the first chance of the match after 10 minutes but his shot deflected wide for a corner.

Then, from the midfielder's corner and Rory Delap's knock on, Branko Strupar pounced at the far post to crash the ball in, giving Neil Sullivan no chance to give the Rams the lead on 11 minutes.

The travelling Spurs fans had to wait 23 minutes for their side to have a shot but Stephen Clemence's tame volley went straight into the arms of Andy Oakes.

Christie did have the ball in the Spurs net but his push on Sulliivan was obvious for referee Rob Harris and all to see.

  Key moments

11 mins: Strupar stabs home

33 mins: Strupar strokes home penalty

70 mins: West own-goal

Spurs went close on the half-hour mark but Tim Sherwood's effort was knocked wide for a corner.

The Rams then went up to the other end and were awarded a penalty when Alton Thelwell was judged to have brought down the lively Christie after the defender had lost possession.

West blunder

Strupar made no mistake, sending Sullivan the wrong way for the Belgian's second goal of the afternoon.

George Graham left his seat in the main stand to loiter on the bench for the second half as he demanded more from his team.

To be fair to his charges they showed more determination in the second 45 minutes.

But when Spurs did threaten, the Rams defensive line held firm as Les Ferdinand and Andy Booth struggled to turn huff and puff into invention.

It's a shame we're having to throw these youngsters in but they're having to learn - and making mistakes is part of the process of learning, but we're getting punished for those things

  Spurs manager George Graham

Booth's header after 55 minutes produced a fine save from Oakes, who pushed the ball round the bottom of the post.

Stephen Clemence did well on the Spurs left on 65 minutes but Booth blasted his snap-shot high and wide from six yards out.

However, five minutes later Spurs were put back in the game when West headed over his own keeper and into the net after a speculative punt forward by Sol Campbell.

A last-ditch Delap tackle kept out Booth, Gary Doherty headed over and Booth was foiled on the line as Spurs tried but could not find the equaliser.

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Derby: Oakes, Delap, Riggott, West, Carbonari, Higginbotham, Powell, Burley, Johnson, Strupar, Christie. Subs: Burton, Morris, Gudjonsson, Murray, Grant.

Tottenham: Sullivan, Clemence, Doherty, Campbell, Young, Thelwell, Freund, Sherwood, King, Booth, Ferdinand. Subs: Walker, Iversen, Korsten, Etherington, Gardner.

Referee: R Harris (Oxford).