The Sunday Telegraph match report

Derby County achieved a memorable double over Liverpool yesterday in front of a record Pride Park gate of 32,913.

Derby had gone to Anfield and won 2-1 in November, a result which still sends a tingle down the spine of their genial manager, Jim Smith.

But he will have enjoyed this victory even more for the tremendous fighting spirit that his players produced. They tackled like terriers, they contested every area and at the end were completely worth a win which keeps their dream of European competition next season alive.

Derby led 2-1 at half-time and when the lively Paulo Wanchope added his second and Derby's third with a powerful run and venomous shot in the 49th minute, their first double over Liverpool in 29 seasons was taking shape.

Liverpool, without Paul Ince and Steve McManaman, fought manfully but lacked a cutting edge up front.

It didn't help matters when Michael Owen did not resume after the interval but Robbie Fowler kept Liverpool's flickering hopes alive with his second goal, a 56th-minute tap-in from a cross by Dominic Matteo.

England's caretaker manager, Kevin Keegan, will have been delighted with Fowler's double strike but will now worry about Owen's fitness for the international match next week.

Liverpool are going through a poor patch, with only one win to show from their last six games, and Derby certainly looked in an aggressive mood to punish any shortcomings stemming from lack of confidence.

Ironically, Liverpool had won six times in their last eight visits to Derby but in the first half they looked unlikely to add to that record.

Derby dominated midfield, where Darryl Powell and Francesco Baiano revelled in the room that the injured Ince might have controlled.

In the sixth minute Baiano played a good ball forward for Deon Burton who got in a good header but Wanchope was unable to control the ball. Wanchope then just failed to find Burton with a telling cross from the left in the 10th minute, but a minute later Derby went in front.

Lars Bohinen saw a good cross from the left cleared by Steve Staunton at the expense of a corner. Bohinen took it and delivered the perfect pass for Burton to score with a fine header.

Derby kept going forward and Baiano skimmed the bar with a 20-yard drive in the 18th minute. Burton had an opportunity to put Derby further in front when a through ball by Powell sent him clear of the Liverpool defence but he tamely shot wide of David James.

Liverpool drew level with a Fowler penalty after Owen was brought down by Spencer Prior, a strike somewhat against the run of play.

But Derby refused to be put out of their stride and might have scored a second goal when James raced out of his goal to challenge Burton after a pass from Powell. The keeper missed it but Burton's lob from 30 yards was wide.

Derby deservedly regained the lead two minutes from half-time when Wanchope headed in a free-kick by Igor Stimac. 

Goals: Burton (12 mins), Fowler (36 pen,57), Wanchope (44,49).
Half-Time : 2-1 to Derby County.
Booked: Fowler (30 mins).
Attendance : 32,913.
Team (5-3-2): James, Heggem, Song, Staunton (Bjornebye 24), Babb, Gerrard, Redknapp, Berger, Matteo, Owen (Riedle 46), Fowler.
Substitutes (not used): Kvarme, Leonhardsen, Friedel.
Referee : G. Barber (Tring).
League position: 9th (39 points after 28 matches).

Copyright - The Sunday Telegraph