Miller debut strike hands Rams first win
Scottish international Kenny Miller opened his account 37 minutes into his Derby career
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Monday, 17, Sep 2007 11:09
Derby climbed off the foot of the Premier League able after a superb strike from new boy Kenny Miller handed Billy Davies' side all three points and a 1-0 win over Newcastle at Pride Park.
The newly-promoted Rams have looked as if they might struggle in the top flight after conceding fifteen goals – including six in their last outing against Liverpool - in their first five games and only a point to their name.
But a rousing performance in front of a boisterous home crowd will have offered hope that they can stave of an immediate return to the Championship.
The Tynesiders may have fatally dented the hosts' self-belief had they taken one of several early chances they created.
But tentative finishing from David Rozehnal and referee Peter Walton's refusal of their penalty claims for a shirt tug on the Frenchman kept the scoresheet blank.
Miller and Tyrone Mears had both found chinks in the Newcastle backline early on and failed to exploit the weaknesses, but the former Celtic forward was merciless when Sam Allardyce's defence showed uncharacteristic hesitance under a long ball.
The £3 million deadline-day acquisition thumped a dipping volley over Steve Harper from 20 yards out to change the game's complexion eight minutes from the interval.
Newcastle committed increasing numbers forward as the second period wore on but, apart from another set of appeals for Leacock's second suspect penalty-box challenge on Rozenhal, there was little penetration to accompany the pressure.