Another whipped in corner by Brighton comes to nothing. Derby clear their lines.

Another good move by the home side. Dale Stephens finds Anthony Knockaert and he feeds Sam Baldock, whose near-post effort is deflected behind for a corner.

Joel Haverson: Was the right decision but the wrong time. Will always respect the way he had us playing attacking football a few seasons back  

Ben B:  Sacked Neil, 18 months too late. He was out of his depth & one dimensional, never had a plan B & couldn't motivate players

Sean Haines:  Board says they want someone for the transfer window so why sack now? Give him till season end if we're writing it off the season!  

Image source, Rex Features

Derby have threatened on occasion but are struggling to retain possession for any sustained amount of time.

And when they do lose it, Brighton look very, very dangerous on the break.

Steve McClaren is a worried man. The Rams boss has left his place in the stands to go pitchside and just as he arrives his side could have been 2-0 down. Sam Baldock runs through but is off balance and can only blaze his effort over the bar.

Here's the moment that matters. A quality strike by Anthony Knockaert from the edge of the box - his 13th goal of the season.

Image source, Rex Features

A really dangerous corner from Brighton's Jiri Skalak. It's whipped in at the near post but Glenn Murray diverts the ball just over the bar and Derby can breathe again. 

Chris Abbs:  Neil should have been sacked weeks ago & not less than 24hrs before a game. Sad after his achievements but club had no choice

Mark: About time. Should have done it earlier on. Too late for the new manager to rescue the season. Here's to next season

Nick Wahlberg: 2nd best team in the league on paper, not near top 6, poor away. I know we are "nice" Norwich but his time was way up  

Scott Carson is not looking A1 but is going to continue for now after taking one on the shoulder from Derby team-mate Jacob Butterfield.

Postpublished at 11 mins

11 mins

Brighton 1-0 Derby

Brighton are on the attack again. Sam Baldock threads a good ball through to Glenn Murray who cannot keep it under control. Keeper Scott Carson gathers possession but is now getting treatment after colliding with one of his team-mates.

Derby have responded well to going behind. Tom Ince looks lively and they have plenty of nous up front, but two goals away at Brighton looks a tough ask.

Darren Bent almost levels within a couple of minutes. The former England striker did the right thing trying to head the ball into the turf but his effort from a Cyrus Christie cross bounces just over the bar.

Great trickery by Anthony Knockaert. The winger dribbles inside, beats a defender and curls in a fine strike into the bottom corner. He's a class act. No doubt about it.

Now it's Brighton who break and almost take the lead. Jiri Skalak cuts in from the right and sends a low strike narrowly wide of the far post.

The home side press but Derby briefly threaten on the break but nothing doing.

Brighton make a positive start. Plenty of the ball so far. No chances.

We are up and running at the Amex Stadium.

Players are warmed up and the teams are out. We appear to have all we need for a game of Association Football.

Former Norwich striker Darren Huckerby urged fans to get behind the Canaries on Twitter...

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