Derby County manager Steve McClaren celebrated a year in charge of the Rams with a 2-0 win over Bournemouth at the iPro Stadium this evening.
After a lively opening half-hour in which Jordan Ibe was a constant threat for the hosts, Cyrus Christie should have broken the deadlock, but could only fire wide when well placed on 39 minutes.
McClaren's side started the second half the brighter, but were repeatedly frustrated by Eddie Howe's well organised Bournemouth side, and for much of the game 0-0 seemed the most likely outcome.
However, on 67 minutes the game changed when referee Scott Mathieson sent Bournemouth goalkeeper Lee Camp off for deliberate handball.
The incident occurred when Derby County striker Jamie Ward broke clear of the Cherries defence only to see his shot stopped by Camp outside the area, before the ball cannoned off Ward and into the back of the net.
Instead of allowing the goal, Mathieson chose to bring play back for the handball, dismissing Camp and awarding Derby County a free kick 20 yards out, which Chris Martin fired against the frame of the goal.
Derby County made their man advantage count on 81 minutes when Will Hughes dribbled into the Bournemouth box and exchanged passes with Martin, firing the return ball into the top right corner of the goal.
Martin then made sure of the win with a stoppage-time goal that takes Derby County's unbeaten run to nine games.
Joe Sharratt
