Hammer blow for Derby

OPTIMISTS are in precious short supply in Derby, but Billy Davies found comfort from an unexpected source after his team’s latest capitulation.

Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, insists County can survive, despite seeing his own side inflict the Rams’ heaviest home defeat for eight years.

“I know what he’s going through,” Curbishley said. “I had a couple of results like that last year. These results come along but, if you care to look down there, no-one’s stranded. It’s still all to play for. He’s got to take some positives out of it and push on for the next game.”

Finding positives could prove impossible. Derby have only scored five goals all season while conceding a mammoth 31 and they were simply clueless here, with all but one of West Ham’s goals easily preventable.

First came the non-existent marking that allowed Lee Bowyer to put the visitors ahead, followed by the indecision that handed Matthew Etherington number two .

The third was a comedy of errors, Jonathan Spector gifted his first goal in English football when Eddie Lewis fell over the ball.

Number four from Bowyer came from a smart break, made possible after Derby had over-committed in attack, while Nolberto Solano added the fifth with a trademark free-kick.

DID YOU KNOW? West Ham have not scored five goals in a Premier League game since St Stephen’s Day 2000 (against Charlton at Upton Park).

MAN OF THE MATCH: Lee Bowyer (West Ham): Whatever you think of him, there was no disputing his effectiveness.

DERBY (4-5-1): Bywater 6, Mears 5, Moore 4, Edworthy 5, Griffin 5, Barnes 5, Oakley 7, Pearson 7, Teale 6 (Howard 52, 5), Miller 5 (Fagan 75, 5), Lewis 4 (Earnshaw 58, 6).

Subs Not Used: McEveley, Jones

WEST HAM (4-5-1): Green 7, Neill 7, Gabbidon 7, Upson 8, McCartney 6 (Pantsil 14, 7), Solano 8, Spector 7, Bowyer 9 (Collins 72, 6), Cole 8, Etherington 8, Boa Morte 8,.

Subs Not Used: Ljungberg, Wright, Camara.

REFEREE: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne and Wear) 7: Kept control, although there was not much in the way of controversy.

MATCH RATING: *** West Ham will not have an easier 90 minutes in the Premier League this season.