Championship

DERBY striker Colin Kazim-Richards was racially abused on social media and had to explain the sick messages to his kids.
The forward scored a late equaliser in the Rams’ 1-1 home draw with bitter rivals Forest on Friday night and was sent vile words after the match.

Derby striker Colin Kazim-Richards was racially abused after their draw with Nottingham ForestCredit: Rex Features

Manchester United loanee James Garner scored his first professional goal to give Forest a 34th minute lead at Pride Park.
But one goal was not enough and Kazim-Richards thundered the equaliser past Forest keeper Brice Samba with just six minutes of normal time remaining.
However, County’s joy was marred by the abuse after the game.
A Derby statement read: “Derby County Football Club is disgusted to have learned that one of its players has been racially abused via social media.

“It was brought to the club’s attention on Saturday morning that Colin Kazim-Richards had received racially abusive messages via his social media platforms.
“The abuse received by Colin resulted in him having to have a conversation with his young children to explain why, in this day and age, racism and discrimination still exists.
“It should be clear, there is no place in sport or society for racism.
“Derby County has a zero-tolerance stance to discrimination and prejudiced behaviour and the racial abuse has been reported to the relevant authorities.

“Social media abuse is, sadly, becoming more common and it is all too easy for individuals to hide behind an account. This cannot continue.
“The club has a long-standing commitment to striving for equality and diversity, not only in football but in society, and strongly supports several nationwide campaigns as well as staging its own work in the local community.
“We are united in celebrating our diversity and we stand proudly with Colin, and all our players, to make it categorically clear that this behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
The news comes just weeks after Man Utd star Marcus Rashford spoke out after similar abuse in the wake of his side’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal.
And earlier this month police were involved after Southampton’s teenage star Alex Jankewitz, 19, was also racially abused after being sent off at Old Trafford.
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COLIN KAZIM-RICHARDS snatched Derby a point with six minutes left as Wayne Rooney took charge of his first East Midlands derby.
Forest were looking comfortable after James Garner scored his first senior goal by firing them into a 33rd-minute lead.

Colin Kazim-Richards produced a late rocket to save Derby against rivals ForestCredit: PA:Press Association

James Garner had given Nottingham Forest the lead in the first halfCredit: Rex Features

And a solid disciplined Forest performance looked to be rewarded before Kazim-Richard belted home a leveller.
The striker had only just signed a new contract extension earlier in the day.
But Forest retain the Brian Clough Trophy – which the two clubs play for each time they play – after stretching their unbeaten run over Derby to eight games.
That is the longest stretch without winning over their foes.

Both clubs have been in good form and hoisted themselves away from the relegation zone.
The Rams went into the game on the back of six wins out of their previous eight – while Forest had won four out of six.
Derby set the tone early with Martyn Waghorn getting a cross in which was easily mopped up by Joe Worrall.
Rams striker Kazim-Richards was kicking himself after straying offside after getting into a great position to meet a Nathan Byrne cross.

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Matt Clarke surged forward for the Rams from central defence but as he approached the Forest area his slide-rule pass was awful and it went behind for a goalkick.
Forest were looking to get Freeman and Anthony Knockaert into the game as much as possible to create something magical.
Yuri Ribeiro went down screaming after a tackle from Jason Knight – but replays showed the very slightest of contact.
Derby should have moved in front when Graeme Shinnie saw his drive parried by Brice Samba.
The ball eventually found its way to Martyn Waghorn, whose follow-up effort was blocked by Ribeiro.
Rams appealed for a penalty and replays clearly showed that Waghorn’s effort had been blocked by Ribeiro’s arm.
VAR would have awarded the penalty.
And from the resulting corner, Knight had a golden chance to net but blazed over from close range.

Kazim-Richards unleashed his thunderbolt with just six minutes remainingCredit: Rex Features
But it was Forest who took a 34th-minute lead against the run of play.
After a cleared visiting corner, Filip Krovinovic punted a diagonal ball forward, Worrall was able to headed the ball unchallenged across for Manchester United loanee James Garner to hit the ball home from 15 yards.
Marshall really should have done better though.
Moments after Cafu was somewhat fortunate that referee Oliver Langford did not see him subtly kick Waghorn off the ball – after being clattered by the Derby ace.
Forest were causing a lot of panic in the Rams box with their direct football using Worrall as a target man.
Derby were dealt a blow when keeper David Marshall – holding his back – had to come off and was replaced by Kelle Roos. That may have explained by he was sluggish in his effort to save the goal.
And the Rams back-up keeper was called into action when Garner’s snap-shot saw him save at the second attempt with Murray ready to pounce.
After the break when Forest won a free-kick just inside the Derby’s half, Garner spotted Roos off his line so went for goal – but he got it horribly wrong sending it very high and wide.

Wayne Rooney’s Rams remain two points behind the Tricky TreesCredit: PA:Press Association
The Rams had a great chance to level when Knight passed the ball into the path of Kasim-Richards – but his shot flashed wide.
Forest broke forward and Krovinovic released Luke Freeman on the left but his shot was deflected wide.
Richards was denied what was looking a certain leveller by a superb goal-saving tackle Ribeiro just as he was about to pull the trigger following a Louie Sibley pass.
Murray – who put in yet another great shift up top – was replaced with Lyle Taylor with 20 minutes left.
Sibley was brilliant for the Rams and he did well doubling up with Lee Buchanan to dispossess Knockaert.
But the clearance only fell as far as Luke Freeman, whose shot sailed over the bar.
But Derby levelled when Lee Gregory’s punt forward hit Kazim-Richards on the back before Tobias Figueiredo made a hash of his clearance.
The ball fell back to Kazim-Richards who thumped home a brilliant goal to earn a share of the spoils – although Gregory could have won it but fired wide from Patrick Roberts’ cutback late on.
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NIGEL PEARSON has the Robins rocking again as Bristol City ended a run of seven defeats by thumping Middlesbrough 3-1.
The newly-appointed 57-year-old watched from the Riverside stands as caretakers Keith Downing and Paul Simpson took charge for the final time.

Famara Diedhiou got Nigel Pearson off to a flyer in charge at Bristol CityCredit: Rex Features

The new Robins boss watched from the stands as they trashed Middlesbrough 3-1Credit: PA:Press Association

Now Pearson, who once famously fought off a pack of wild dogs on a mountain, will be chomping at the bit to get to work as City ravaged play-off chasing Boro.
They went straight for the throat, and after several snarls, they finally bit on 21 minutes.
Famara Diedhiou had already forced Marcus Bettinelli into a super stop before he headed home Adam Nagy’s cross.
City smelt blood and soon doubled their advantage.

Tyreeq Bakinson fed Nakhi Wells and he cut inside two to slip the ball in for Diedhiou to slot home his second.
Despite the mask covering his face, there was no hiding Pearson’s joy as he watched on from the stands – even taking his glasses off perhaps in disbelief at what he was seeing.
And he must have thought he was in dreamland as his team went for the jugular again and made it three before the break.
Diedhiou brilliantly held off Dael Fry to head on for Wells to flick past Jonny Howson and race clear on goal to finish past Bettinelli – who may well have done better without the invisible bungee rope attached to his back.

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Far from the ruthless Boro that won at Reading on Saturday, they were more like scared and toothless puppies.
Paddy McNair’s blocked effort on the line the only thing they had to bark about.
Warnock threw on Nathaniel Mendez-Laing for the restart – but it was a miracle they needed after a dreadful opening.
Despite Fry pulling one back from close-range late on, there was not a messiah in sight for Boro, although City fans may feel they now have theirs.

Dael Fry pulled one back for Boro against Bristol City late on
Downing said: “Nigel was introduced to the players this afternoon at the hotel and obviously spoke some wise words. He also came down at half time to give some advice. 
“The players responded well and now we have to take that forward.
“There are still a number of games left and we have to finish as strongly as we can.”
Warnock said: “I said at half time the score is embarrassing and I wanted them to win the second half. It was better.
“Our front three were really good at Reading but they were a waste of time in the first half. It’s so frustrating for me.”

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NOTTINGHAM FOREST keeper Brice Samba deployed some hilarious time-wasting tactics in their nervy 1-0 win over Blackburn.
With the game in added-time, and Forest clinging onto a vital three points, the stopper first appeared to lose the ball… before realising it was in his penalty area.

Brice Samba deployed some hilarious time-wasting tactics in Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 win over BlackburnCredit: Rex Features

When he did locate it, and place it to take the kick, he did so clearly outside his six-yard box.
Samba was then told to moved it back to ensure some more precious seconds ticked on the clock.
After a hop, skip and jump in his run up, the 26-year-old finally lumped the ball into play.
Forest won the game thanks to Alex Mighten’s opener on 25 minutes.

But the day well and truly belonged to Samba, who had already saved Adam Armstrong’s penalty before his late procrastination heroics.
He initially gave the spot-kick away on the 72nd minute but redeemed himself with a double save to preserve Forest’s lead.
Manager Chris Hughton said: “We needed a wonderful save from Brice to keep the penalty out but otherwise it’s another clean sheet against another good footballing side who we have restricted to minimum chances.
“As a unit we had to dig deep and make sure we stopped them from creating anything clear-cut.

“It was a very good save from Brice for the penalty and he was up against a top striker who has already scored 20 goals this season.
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“Adam Armstrong is generally a player who hits the back of the net from penalties but Brice did superbly to keep it out and then get up to hold onto the rebound as well so I’m really pleased for him because it caps off a good period for him.”
Samba told Forest’s website: “I am happy because we got the three points, that is the most important thing.
“We played well and we deserved it.”

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NIGEL PEARSON is set to take over as Bristol City’s new head coach until the end of the season.
The 57-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked by Watford in July, two games before they were relegated from the Premier League.

Nigel Pearson is set to take the reigns at Bristol CityCredit: PA:Press Association

But the Guardian claim that he is set to return to management in the Championship at Bristol City on a short-term contract.
The report adds that Pearson held productive talks with club officials on Sunday but is unlikely to be in charge for Tuesday’s trip to Middlesbrough.
TalkSPORT claim the Robins sounded out Eddie Howe but the former Bournemouth manager has his heart set on a Premier League job.
SunSport previously reported that Newcastle will target the 43-year-old if they axe England compatriot Steve Bruce.

Bristol City meanwhile gave Dean Holden his marching orders earlier this week following a run of six successive defeats.
He was only appointed in August on a one-year deal after a spell in interim charge following the sacking of Lee Johnson.
City started the season with four wins but their recent downturn in form has seen them drop to 15th in the table.
Pearson was sacked by Watford last year with the Hornets issuing a brutal 12-word announcement at his exit.

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Pearson slammed the short club statement confirming his exit and claimed players knew about his departure before he did.
He told The Times: “There was no recognition that I’d even been there really!
“The thing that really disappoints me is some of the players knew before me. Some of the staff knew before I did.”

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