Ipswich bury ragged Rams

Peralta's strike proved to be decisive

Derby 1-3 Ipswich
E-mail your reaction to Football Talk

Ipswich produced a composed display to comfortably win at fellow strugglers Derby and move out of the relegation zone for the first time since October.

The Rams may have parted company with manager Colin Todd in the week, but it was a familiar story for the Pride Park faithful as missed chances and defensive frailties cost them dear.

George Burley's side were always the more assured of the two teams and they kept their cool to seal victory even after Marcus Stewart fluffed a first-half penalty.

We're not kidding ourselves, we're not out of it yet and there's a long way to go

Ipswich boss George Burley

Ipswich scored three second-half goals through Marcus Bent, Sixto Peralta and Martijn Reuser - while Malcom Christie replied for the lacklustre Rams.

The outcome could have been different had Deon Burton scored from the spot for Derby when his side where 1-0 down.

But the Jamaican international saw his placed effort saved by Ipswich keeper Andy Marshall on 49 minutes, after Mark Venus had brought down Fabrizio Ravanelli.

Bent had fired Ipswich ahead just two minutes earlier after he evaded the challenge of Danny Higginbotham before coolly finishing past Andy Oakes.

McEwan couldn't change Derby's fortunes

It was the former Blackburn striker's fifth goal in five Premiership games, and he was to turn provider on 67 minutes when he ghosted through the Derby defence and unselfishly set up Peralta to make it 2-0.

Christie briefly gave the Rams some hope after 79 minutes when he headed home from Ravanelli's cross.

But Reuser made sure of the points for Ipswich with a third goal on 87 minutes.

In his first game in charge, Derby's caretaker boss Billy McEwan made five changes to the team that lost at Aston Villa last weekend.

But it was Ipswich who began most positively, trying to exploit any nervous jitters the home side may have been feeling.

Not surprisingly for a bottom-of-the-table clash there was plenty of effort but little quality football in the first 30 minutes.

We always felt that this was going to be the most difficult season. It is certainly proving to be so at the minute

Billy McEwan
Derby caretaker boss

As the hurly-burly began to die down it was Ipswich who took control of the midfield area, keeping the ball well for long spells.

And eventually their pressure told as Derby conceded a penalty.

Horacio Carbonari was adjudged to have fouled Bent after the pair tangled in the box.

Stewart, starting his first Premiership match since November, hit his effort low to the keeper's left but the Rams were relieved to see it bounce back off the post.

But it was Ipswich who stuck to their passing principles in the second half and ran out worthy winners as Derby looked increasingly desperate.

McEwan brought on Giorgi Kinkladze to try and inspire his side but it was too little too late and the Rams now lie five points adrift of safety.

---

Derby: Oakes, Jackson, Riggott, Carbonari (Boertien 69), Higginbotham, Zavagno (Kinkladze 59), Valakari, Burton, Powell, Ravanelli, Christie.
Subs Not Used: Grant, Bolder, Mawene.

Ipswich: Marshall, Makin, McGreal, Venus, Hreidarsson, Wright, Holland, Peralta, Reuser (Clapham 88), Stewart (Naylor 84), Marcus Bent (Armstrong 90).
Subs Not Used: Sereni, Bramble.
Booked: Hreidarsson, Reuser.

Att: 29,658

Ref: P Durkin (Dorset).