Assistant manager Chris Powell took charge of the side following Nigel Pearson’s suspension.
A dramatic day for Derby County ended with a 2-0 victory over Cardiff City.
Having seen manager Nigel Pearson suspended earlier in the day, Chris Powell stepped up from his role as assistant manager to caretaker boss.
Derby’s failures in front of goal looked like continuing until Tom Ince put Derby in front in the 55th minute.
Derby’s Tom Ince celebrates after scoring their first goal
The game was settled in the 80th minute, when Matt Connolly was sent off for a denying a goal-scoring opportunity, tripping Nick Blackman in the box. Having won the penalty, the forward stepped up to take it, converting from 12 yards to make it 2-0 to Powell’s team, lifting them out of the relegation zone and into 20th.
Meanwhile, Cardiff dropped down to 23rd.
Derby’s Nick Blackman scores the second goal from the penalty spot
It was a strange game for the Derby players, who only found out about Pearson’s suspension three hours before kick off at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Derby fans have been less than impressed with their side’s start to the Championship season and Pearson’s management, and have since came out in support of caretaker manager Powell, with some supporters calling for the former Charlton and Huddersfield to be given the job on a permanent basis.
Derby Caretaker Manager Chris Powell celebrates with Nick Blackman and Tom Ince (R) at the end of the match
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