Keith Hackett reacts to red card controversy in Derby loss v Ipswich after seeing footage
Derby County may feel aggrieved with referee Joshua Smith’s performance in their 2-1 loss to Ipswich Town on Saturday.
John Eustace’s side are firmly in the chase for the Championship’s Play-off spots, and the Rams did what they could against the Tractor Boys.
Lewis Travis‘ own goal had Derby trailing going into the second half, but Rhian Brewster managed to get the Rams back on level terms after converting what was a stonewall penalty with just over 20 minutes left to go in the game.
However, Kieran McKenna’s side then regained the lead through Leif Davis’ header, as the Rams were then dealt a hammer blow in stoppage time as they were chasing for the leveller.
Smith decided to send Derby’s Travis off in what was the most controversial decision of the contest.
Keith Hackett says Lewis Travis left referee with no other choice
Eustace controversially joined Derby in February of last year after parting ways with Blackburn Rovers, but it’s been a decision that has so far paid off.
Derby were busy in the winter market, as the Rams have themselves in a healthy position for the Play-offs heading into the final stretch of the Championship, which makes the loss even more damaging.
However, Eustace will have no doubts that his captain, Travis, was unfairly given a second yellow card as his team were pushing for an equaliser in the closing stages of the match.
- Travis scored an own goal in the eighth minute
- He was then booked in the 13th minute
- Smith then showed Travis a second yellow in stoppage time for trying to get the ball back in play for his side
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett weighed in on the situation, and it might not be what Derby fans want to hear.
Hackett said: “If you are on a yellow card and you then have a second go at an opponent, as in this case, then you leave the referee with a decision to make.
“There is no appeal allowed on yellow cards, so he will serve a suspension.”
Second-half stats show why Derby were hard done by
Derby have now lost the chance to add an important point to their tally over a promotion-chasing Ipswich, which, before the game, would have been seen as a good result.
Eustace’s side had been on a four-game unbeaten run heading into this weekend, and have already shown their ability to fight back late on in games this season.
| Team | Possession | Shots | xG total |
| Derby County | 56% | 5 | 0.92 |
| Ipswich Town | 44% | 7 | 0.67 |
The Rams would have felt like their momentum for a leveller was halted with Travis’ dismissal. The stats prove that Derby were controlling the second 45, and Ipswich were defending their lead.
On another day, Derby could have been walking away with a point, and Eustace will now be without his captain for the next game against Swansea City.