30/03/2002  Chelsea 2 Derby 1
 
Emmanuel Petit grabbed a late winner for 10-man Chelsea to 
keep the Blues Champions League hopes alive and send Derby 
plunging towards the Nationwide League.

With all his substitutes on, Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri 
saw Jesper Gronkjaer limp to the touchline in agony 12 minutes 
from time as the Londoners searched desperately for a second 
breakthrough.

But Gianfranco Zola's free-kick caused mayhem in the Derby 
box and though Andy Oakes palmed John Terry's header onto a 
post and Mikael Forssell saw his follow-up blocked, Petit kept 
his nerve to volley home from the edge of the area.

It was harsh luck on Derby, and particularly their 
impressive central defender Chris Riggott.

Terry had given Chelsea the lead just after the break with 
a bullet header, but second-bottom Derby responded quickly 
with Branko Strupar squeezing home Warren Barton's cross.

The visitors looked more likely to grab the winner, 
particularly with Gronkjaer's departure.

But Zola remains the Chelsea magician and Derby were left 
to curse their luck as they trooped off dejectedly.

Eidur Gudjohnsen's partnership with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 
has so far produced 49 goals in all competitions, but they 
didn't enjoy the best of fortunes this afternoon.

The nearest either man came to hitting the half century was 
to batter Andy Oakes' right hand post in the opening 
period.

It took only four minutes for Gudjohnsen to find the 
woodwork, steering Hasselbaink's lay-off away from the Rams 
returning keeper but not into the net.

Oakes then tipped Frank Lampard's looping shot over and 
saved with his feet from Hasselbaink to prevent Chelsea going 
in front.

But it was another 35 minutes before he was tested 
again.

Riggott had marshalled the Derby defence brilliantly and 
was harshly handed a yellow card when Mario Stanic tumbled 
under minimal contact.

Hasselbaink hit the free-kick low and hard, and it bulleted 
back off a past with Oakes again beaten.

The Dutchman had wasted Chelsea's only other decent 
opportunity in the opening period, rising unmarked but failing 
to trouble Oakes with a poor header from Gronkjaer's 
cross.

After their early problems, Derby gradually regained their 
composure, with Riggott particularly impressive.

Liverpool are believed to be one of a number of clubs 
enquiring about the 21-year-old and on this evidence it is 
easy to see why.

Cool and assured with the ball at his feet and solid 
despite his lack of physical presence, the confidence he 
exuded soared through the visitors, even if their own 
attacking attempts were somewhat limited.

With Rio Ferdinand looking like an England regular for 
years to come, Riggott's international prospects are likely to 
be challenged by Terry.

Some ill advised drinking binges and off-field scrapes have 
given the youngster too many headlines for the wrong reasons 
this term.

But he remains an outstanding young talent, and took just 
five minutes to impose himself on this contest after taking 
the field for injured William Gallas immediately after the 
break.

His first touch was to clear a Derby corner. His second was 
a close range bullet header from Graeme Le Saux's cross which 
powered past Oakes.

After six weeks out with a broken foot, the relief was 
evident as Terry saluted the home fans celebrating his first 
Premier League strike of the season.

Le Saux himself would have been quietly satisfied with his 
contribution.

It would take some impressive performances now to force his 
way into Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup plans.

England's Swedish coach has undoubted fears over Le Saux's 
temperament. The former Blackburn man was returning from 
suspension today and marked the occasion with another yellow 
card for dissent.

But he remains a potent attacking threat and his corner 
which created the opener was perfect.

Derby had provided only a sporadic threat to the home goal, 
but were level on the hour.

Fabrizio Ravanelli had put in an impressive stint harrying 
the home defenders but had contributed little in attack until 
he took possession on the right touchline.

However, the Italian drew Le Saux closer, then released 
Warren Barton, whose run into the penalty area had gone 
unchecked. The Derby skipper squared across the face of goal 
to Branko Strupar who slid the ball past Carlo Cudicini.

It looked like being a priceless equaliser as Chelsea 
frustrations mounted.

But Petit remains cool in a crisis and the tumbling Luciano 
Zavagno could only watch in agony as the Frenchman's shot 
struck his chest and floated in.