“Defence woeful and Carson is getting worse”: Some Derby fans left angry after 2-1 loss to Stoke + Match report

Stoke City 2-1 Derby County: The Rams drop points at Bet 365

Derby County endured a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Stoke City on Wednesday, with former Rams star Tom Ince scoring the winner for the hosts in the second half at Bet 365 stadium.

Sam Clucas got the ball rolling by giving Stoke the lead, before Oghenekaro Etebo was shown a straight red card for his dangerous challenge on Richard Keogh’s shin.

After Etebo’s dismissal, Bradley Johnson’s attempted bite on Joe Allen’s shoulders went unnoticed and Derby were level five minutes after half-time when Harry Wilson produced a peach of a free-kick. But the equaliser didn’t dampen the spirits of a 10-man Stoke, who found the winner through Tom Ince in the 64^th minute.

Lampard had made five changes to his line-up, with Jayden Bogle returning after illness and the likes of Bradley Johnson, Craig Bryson, Curtis Davies and Tom Lawrence being recalled to the side. Lampard’s adversary, Gary Rowett, made three changes against his former side as Cuco Martina, Erik Pieters and Peter Etebo came into his line-up.

Derby had the first real chance in the seventh minute when Lawrence intercepted Ryan Shawcross’ pass and flung a right-footed shot which Butland kept out. Stoke slowly grew in the game and tested Scott Carson through Ince’s long-range shot.

Stoke put Derby into enormous pressure and it finally paid off in the 24^th minute. Berahino found Allen, who played a cute pass to Clucas, which the former Swansea man latched onto to make it 1-0 for the hosts.

But Derby County were handed a lifeline just after the hour-mark when a dreadful challenge on Keogh saw Etebo get the marching orders. Bradley Johnson was lucky to stay on the pitch after he appeared to have bitten Allen in the ensuing scuffle, although the Derby man only received a yellow card.

The Rams took advantage of the extra man when Butland was forced to parry Lawrence’s long-range shot. Davies was then stretchered off on the stroke of half-time.

Derby did claim the equaliser five minutes into the second period when Harry Wilson struck a fantastic free-kick past Butland after Cuco Martina had fouled Jayden Bogle just outside the box.

However, the spirited hosts had other ideas and regained the lead in the 64th minute through Ince, who swept a first-time shot under Carson.

Read more: Lampard raiding Chelsea in January for this 24-year-old forgotten figure would be a huge coup for Derby County

Lampard’s Derby threw the kitchen sink as they pushed for an equaliser but Stoke held onto a vital three points at home.

Disappointed with the 2-1 defeat at Stoke, here’s how some Derby County fans reacted.