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Mokoena call surprises Clough

Image: Mokoena: Avoided sending off

Nigel Clough admits he was surprised Portsmouth captain Aaron Mokoena escaped a sending off on Saturday.

Rams boss feels skipper deserved a second yellow

Derby manager Nigel Clough admits he was surprised Portsmouth captain Aaron Mokoena escaped a sending off on Saturday evening. The South African brought down Tomasz Cywka in the area to hand the Rams a penalty, which Robbie Savage converted for the home side's opening goal, having already been booked earlier in the first half. Clough was delighted with Derby's 2-0 victory, but was surprised the Pompey skipper did not land a second yellow for his reckless tackle.

No contact

When questioned over whether his challenge warranted a spot-kick, Clough told Sky Sports 2: "I don't think there was too much question about that. "He did seem to clip Cywka's heel as he was going through. There was certainly no contact from the Portsmouth defender with the ball and we were just a bit surprised they didn't book him for it. "Usually in those situations they do get a yellow card. Not that we want to see people sent off." Clough admits he found it hard to enjoy the game, even when the Rams were leading 2-0 following a second goal from Paul Green. "It was an extremely hard game and it was a battle in the end," he added. "We've played better at times this season but we hung on for a clean sheet." The result marked Derby's fifth home win on the bounce, but Clough insists the competition was tough. "You look through their side and they bring the likes of Kanu on as a substitute with loads of experience," he said. "It's always going to be a different sort of game to what we've had in recent times at Pride Park."
Solid display
Derby man Kris Commons, who is out of contract at Pride Park at the end of the season, produced a solid display for the Rams, and Clough reiterated his desire to keep the midfielder at the club. "Kris says he wants to stay and we're doing everything we can to get a new contract sorted out as soon as possible," he said. "We want him in the team week in, week out."

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