Poom masterclass saves the day

Words are often unable to do justice to the dramatically shifting emotions experienced by those who earn a living from football. Images often tell a much clearer story.

So it was at Pride Park yesterday as Everton succumbed to the defeat that leaves them perched nervously above those fearing for their Premiership futures in the relegation zone.

As referee Alan Wiley brought this competitive, absorbing fixture to a conclusion, Everton defender Gary Naysmith sank to his knees. Soaked to the skin from the deluge of rain that fell from the Derbyshire skies all afternoon, he barely had the spirit or the energy to drag himself from the field.

It was not physical exhaustion that reduced him to such a state, rather the frustration and desperation felt by a footballer who had seen his team give their all and fail.

How Derby won this game perhaps not even their manager Jim Smith will know. An improving side, they were nevertheless second best throughout the second half and clung to the lead given to them early on by Deon Burton only through the excellence of goalkeeper Mart Poom.

Dire in the first period, Everton's reshuffle at half-time enabled them to create five clear chances in the second period. Poom repelled them all and Walter Smith was left to ponder over a fifth League defeat in six games.

It is a run that would not yet appear to threaten Smith's position at Everton, especially given that he has been deprived of an average of eight players a game through injury this season. But it is a sequence that will threaten his club's Premiership status if it continues much longer. 'Certainly, one draw out of six games does not make me the most popular manager in the world does it?' noted Smith. 'You always feel the pressure when you don't win and I am no different.