Derby 1-1 Nottingham Forest: Kazim-Richards wins Rams point against Forest

Colin Kazim-Richards launched a thunderous volley to earn Derby County a point in the 108th East Midlands derby, denying Nottingham Forest a third consecutive Championship win.

Anthony Knockaert was at the heart of their creative play, but his header went wide and another from Garner went straight to backup goalkeeper Kelle Roos.

While still 1-0, Derby always had a chance and proved it when, with the Rams increasing the pressure on Forest, Kazim-Richards downed the ball, recovered a rebound from Forest defender Tobias Figueiredo and volleyed out Brice Samba. .

Rams substitute Lee Gregory may have snatched all three points at the end, but he tried really hard, meaning Derby boss Wayne Rooney had to settle for a draw in his first derby in charge.

With both sides on an upward trajectory, this tie represents a satisfying result for both sides as they attempt to climb the table away from the relegation places, and maintains control of Forest in the Brian Clough Trophy, for which both sides play in tribute to his legendary former boss.

All that was missing was the atmospheric start that a typical derby crowd would have produced at times when both sides seemed passive and slow.

Derby, who came into the game with six wins in his previous eight matches, has gotten tougher to beat and better up front with England’s record scorer Rooney, particularly since the arrival of Kazim-Richards, who now has seven goals away. his name since the beginning of December.

However, they failed to seize their opportunities in a brilliant half-hour start, then spent much of the game on their back foot at home.

Lee Gregory and Patrick Roberts gave their attacking attack a boost at the end, easing the pressure on Kazim-Richards, who had worked alone prior to that point.

Forest’s dominance during his prime didn’t lead to goals, but there were positives such as the combination of Knockaert and winger Cyrus Christie, who came together well on the right as creative outlets.

They are also now undefeated in eight straight derbies against the Rams.

Derby County Chief Wayne Rooney told BBC Radio Derby:

“I’m happy to come out with a point at the end. Until we admitted that we were the best team, we caused problems for Forest and they didn’t know how to pressure us with our preparation.”

“I felt like the more time that passed, the more opportunities we would have created, but then we conceded a really sloppy goal, which [David] Marshall knows he has to do better.

“In the second half we lost possession too many times, we were second behind the second balls and in the end we were lucky to come out with a point.

“I spoke to the players at halftime to keep them calm and told them that we could still win the game, and what happens in the second half is not good enough for us.”

“There was not enough intensity, we made silly mistakes, the goalkeepers couldn’t kick the ball where it should go and it was an accumulation of things that were happening during the second half.”

Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton told BBC Radio Nottingham:

“The first half came close to possession, but they never created much. They weren’t much of a threat, even though they had possession.

“When the game opened on the second [half] we had the best possession and went into better areas to be creative.

“That is the disappointment, the goal they scored can happen, it is a fabulous goal and it is a great ending, but at that stage we had to be further ahead.”

“In the areas where we were better, opening up to the last third, we needed to be more clinical and hit the final ball.”