WAYNE ROONEY’S PENALTY on the stroke of half-time proved the winner as Derby County saw off Reading 2-1 in the Championship, but it was the full-time whistle that drew most consternation.
Tom Lawrence, who fired Derby into the lead minutes before Rooney doubled the advantage, was issued a red card along with Reading’s Matt Miazga in the moments after the final whistle.
A confrontation between the pair descended from shoving to a schemozzle as Lawrence appeared to lean into headbutt motion and Miazaga lashed out with a slap.
Wales’ Lawrence went in the referee’s book for the right reason in the 44th minute when he curled a gorgeous curling shot into the corner. Derby soon doubled their advantage as defender Liam Moore, shortly after escaping censure for a tackle on Louie Sibley, took down Martyn Waghorn. Rooney sent Rafael Cabral the wrong way from the spot.
Reading pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute, but the main drama came after the final whistle and the result keeps Derby chasing the playoff places as they remain three points behind sixth place Cardiff City, who pulled clear of Preston with a 1-3 win at Deepdale. Reading remain seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Toulon are a shadow of themselves this season. . Chickens coming home to roost it would seem. . Hopefully the same happens at Saracens soon but this year I feel they are head and shoulders above the rest and likely wont be stopped from retaining the BT cup.
The smart money is on Wasps this year! Sure they have bloody well spent enough to win it.
Fair play to Peter Stringer for playing the match , a true gentleman and professional.However it was a poor match. Toulon don’t play as well as they used to , that’s for sure. They should’ve blown Sale out of the water. There was some good performances from Halfpenny, Gorgodze and Vermeulen.
Vermeulen was superb at the breakdown winning 3 key turnovers and working hard clearing out conceding no turnovers and gave a very physical performance up front despite a stupid yellow card. The Springboks in November will need him at his world class form. Wales will also be happy to see a fit Halfpenny for the internationals . Gorgodze gave his standard physical carries and metres helping Ollivon score his 5th try of the season which is great for a blindside and should be expecting that French call up soon.
Please can we have anyone but Toulon or Sarries win it this year?
Shocking match.