Jeffers' contribution was excellent in the first half as he kept his eye on the line and made encouraging moves. He was less involved in the second half, because of the lack of creativity in midfield and as a result did less watching across the Derby back line, when his opportunities came and more trying to work that extra metre. A case of trying too hard and straying offside. However, his game can only improve from outings such as this. One of only three positives things I took from the game.

The second positive thing was the overall performance of Barmby. He played up and he played back. His workrate was excellent, he was our best player by a long way. He was let down in the middle of the park by two poor performances from Dacourt and Hutchison. Granted, Dacourt played his part in the build up to the goal, but overall the contributions of both Hutchison and Dacourt stopped 30 metres from the Derby goal. Is there some sort of invisible line across which these two mustn't go?

The third positive note was the performance of Unsworth. He's still not the player he was – but he is beginning to show a greater awareness of what's going on around him, taking responsibility in times of need. We lost that in the second half, when Rhino failed to appear, although Dunne did try to make up for his loss.

I can't agree with the sentiments of Messrs. Sharp and Gray, on Sky, that "Everton looked solid at the back" in the first half. Decidedly shaky at times as far as Ward, Ball and Watson were concerned. Farley was unfortunate in having to come on in circumstances where the majority of the game was played in our half and today was the day when Waggy, despite his dedication and game management, failed to set the tone for the defence. Another twelve months as a player will be another twelve months too many.

Overall, though, I felt we lost the game in the midfield – no vision from Dacourt and Hutchison, no attacking potential shown by either of them and both frightened of making the telling ball. Barmby was on his own in the middle as far as I'm concerned, the only one showing the desire of an attacking midfield player to get forward. This lack of vision from Dacourt and Hutchison allowed Derby to attack the ball too often when we were in possession, causing self-inflicted pressure on the back four (I've deliberately discounted Ward's performance).

As for the Derby goals, I felt we were unfortunate on both of them. Burton appeared to bring down Dunne for the first. Simple as that - it shouldn't have been given, but it was. As for the second, Waggy was stopped from jumping to clear Myhre's parried save as a result of being jostled by both Burton and Carbonari. It was a free kick in my eyes, or are they just eyes equipped with and affected by those-blue tinted glasses?

Finally, a comment on Myhre. Having rated him as the benchmark 10 in my recent rating of the various team members, he let himself down today, fluffing simple(ish) balls in the air. What a shot stopper though! Some excellent saves that saved us from being embarrassed by the scoreline. We didn't deserve a result.

As the team news came through at 3:15 pm, my hopes where raised; Walter Smith had broken his ultra-conservative approach to include the prolific youth/reserve team striker, Francis Jeffers in the starting line up, as Cadamarteri was suspended and Branch injured. Dave Watson was also drafted in to replace the suspended Materazzi.

Both teams lined up in the 3-5-2 formation. From the kick off it was Derby who started the brighter, harrying and not giving Everton time on the ball, in fact making Everton look uncomfortable.

However, the first shot on target came from Everton, when Barmby struck a first-time volley from the edge of the box that did not really threaten the Derby goal; the keeper saved comfortably. The first yellow card of the game came 6 minutes later when Laursen deliberately brought down Dacourt from behind. On 15 minutes, Derby came close through Baiano, when his header went wide.

However, the action soon switched again, when Barmby was played through one-on-one with Carbonari. Barmby's change of pace had the Derby defender struggling and as the players met, Carbonari seemed to through his arm across Barmby, bringing him down. However the ref saw it from behind, and awarded a free kick to Derby... to be fair it was really the only decision that went against us until then.

Moments later, Jeffers had his first effort on target, but his shot was always rising to high. This came during the start of a good period for Everton, which also saw Bakayoko try to take on too many players on in the box and almost inevitably trip over the ball.

Again, Derby came back, with Wanchope running into the Everton area. Myhre forced him wide but he managed to pass across to Burton who fired over, although he never really had a clear shot.

Again the play went to the other end of the pitch. Dacourt advanced to just outside the Derby area and played a great ball in to Jeffers round the back of Dorigo. Jeffers then pushed the ball square and tried to set himself up for an effort, but before he could, Barmby had pounced onto it and fired it to the left of Holt and into the corner of the net,1-0 Everton...Yes! Queue wild and delirious celebrations.

What was left of the half saw a marginal penalty decision turned down by Mr Poll when Hutchison was brought down.

The second half brought an instant change when Unsworth, who picked up a calf injury in the first half was replaced by Adam Farley, making his debut. The second half got under way, with Everton ominously conceding possession through an aimless rugby-style hoof into touch. Derby got the message loud and clear, and straight away had Everton on the back foot.Constant pressure saw Derby go close a number of times.

Eranio walked through the defence and saw his effort come to nothing, but it was Wanchope who was proving the most dangerous, running through the defence at will. All the Derby pressure finally paid off on 51 mins. Wanchope ran out wide and managed to get an excellent low cross into the box and the incoming Burton who started his run behind Dunne. However, Burton seemed to have caught Dunne who fell heavily, leaving Burton free to fire past Myhre: 1-1.

Derby still continued to press, always keeping Everton on the back foot, and they always looked like they would score again, even if Everton did have a few 'brief moments'. The first on 59 mins when Bakayoko looked to go through the defence but unusually for him he played it through to Jeffers who was clearly in an offside position.

Minutes later, and it was Bakayoko and Jeffers again. Bakayoko played a ball over from wide to Jeffers's head, however, this resulted in nothing. Minutes later, Barmby picked up a free kick in "Olly" territory. We waited with baited breath, Olly struck it nicely... over the wall... curling nicely... and curling wide!

By now it was beginning obvious we would not score again today, what more could we ask for? We had at least scored one. The Derby manager Jim Smith now felt the time was right to go and win the game, so he made an attack-minded double substitution, bringing on a midfielder and attacker for a midfielder and defender.

At this time Everton picked up two more bookings to add to Dunne's earlier in the half. Ward was booked and lucky not to be sent off for a lunge from behind on Harper, and seconds later Olly was booked for tripping Powell.

Derby threatened again and should have made it 2-1 when Wanchope pulled the ball back into the goalmouth for Burton who connected well only to see Myhre get his fingers to the ball and push it away.

However, minutes later Burton made amends. Stimac crossed to Wanchope who's header brought a stunning reaction save from Myhre, but the ball arched up across the goal, and Burton was running in too strongly for the defenders to prevent him from jumping well to head in: 2-1, and there was no way back. Three points lost.

Player Ratings

• Myhre: A couple of decent saves, a few mistakes of Calamity James dimensions but none of them telling ones - 6
• Ward: A waste of space. Did absolutely nothing except get booked in arguably the worst tackle of the game - 4
• Ball: An improvement, but still some way to go to reach the level he was playing at earlier in the season - 6
• Dunne: Did alright, ok distribution, made a few crucial challenges, was not lost for pace, a decent game - 6
• Watson: He had a poor game. His lack of pace left the defence exposed time and time again. He backs off too far and leaves too much space in front of the 18-yard box. - 5
• Unsworth: Did alright in the first half, though nothing spectacular (thank god) - 6
• Farley: Did not play any worse than Ward for all that's worth, difficult to judge, but in all fairness he did not impress - 5
• Hutch: A good game by all means. I felt he had a legitimate penalty claim turned down - 7
• Dacourt: Played better, made an impact in midfield, great pass to Jeffers before the goal. Picked up a stupid booking - 7
• Barmby: Brilliant first half, faded away in the second half. But he showed some signs that he might be approaching his best form - 7
• Bakayoko: The enigma strikes again (but not towards goal). Did absolutely nothing for the entire 90 minutes, and never looked like doing anything either. Should have been subbed in the second half, but I can see Walt's point in leaving him on hoping against hope that he'll suddenly come to life - 5
• Jeffers: My goodness! An young pacy Everton striker not suffering from the "Headless chicken"-syndrome!! It was also nice to see an Everton forward winning a few headers again !! After a very (!!) impressive first half, like Barmby, he faded in the second. Was very unlucky not to score, but this is the future. With a bit more experience, he would've been clean through on goal in the second half. He's got to be given a run in the side from now and until the end of the season - 7

Man of the Match. Jeffers played well enough and must warrant inclusion in next week's starting line-up. Myhre again did well, not really to blame for the goals. Watson also played well in a defence that was under constant threat. But I think I will give it to Barmby, for not only scoring but for the problems he created for the Derby defence in the first half with his runs.

Everton, already stretched by injuries and suspensions, were disrupted by the loss from their defence of David Unsworth, who did not reappear for the second half after sustaining a calf strain. But Derby, who had tended to over-elaborate before the break, as well as allowing their opponents too much time and space, were an altogether different proposition after it.

They thoroughly deserved to come out on top, their only disappointment a hamstring injury to the striker Paulo Wanchope that rules him out at least for next Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie at Huddersfield.

It would be unfair to say that Everton looked like relegation material but their chronic inability to produce a regular stream of goals - they have scored only 14 in 24 Premiership matches - remains a major concern. "Morale has been good but it is important that we don't lose that," Everton's manager, Walter Smith, said. "I was disappointed that we did not hang on for a point but, then again, we had three 18-year-olds on the field and it is asking a lot. Losing Unsworth did not help, leaving us short of power in the air."

One of those youngsters, the prolific youth team marksman Francis Jeffers, was making his first start one month on from his 19th birthday, coming into this match from a midweek hat-trick in an FA Youth Cup tie against Swindon. He made an impressive beginning, playing an important role in Barmby's goal, although the pace and tension of the occasion took their toll in the later stages.

Derby enjoyed early possession, going close through Francesco Baiano's header and Lee Carsley's 25-yard drive, but after 37 minutes they paid for their tendency to make one pass to many when Wanchope lost possession at the edge of the Everton box. The ball was played forward to Ibrahima Bakayoko, who was afforded time to find Olivier Dacourt in midfield. The Frenchman threaded a pass to Jeffers, who took the ball inside Igor Stimac and was lining up a shot for himself when Barmby spotted a gap to Russell Hoult's left and stole the ball from the youngster's feet to slot it home.

The goal was Everton's first in six hours and six minutes of Premiership play but the reorganisation required when Unsworth stayed in the dressing room after half-time disturbed their rhythm. Michael Ball dropped into the back three and Mitch Ward, who began as right wing-back, was obliged to switch flanks as 18-year-old Adam Farley stepped out for his senior debut.

Within five minutes of the restart, a much livelier and more incisive Derby, encouraged by Smith to "get the ball forward quicker", had drawn level. Baiano found Wanchope with a fine ball from left to right and the Costa Rican striker advanced towards the byline before crossing low and awkwardly for Burton, who made no mistake from half a dozen yards.

Thereafter, Derby were markedly the superior side, creating a number of chances and having a legitimate penalty claim turned down by the referee Graham Poll after the ball struck Dave Watson's hand. The introduction of Kevin Harper and Darryl Powell with 15 minutes left gave them even more zip and their reward came with six minutes left on the clock.

Wanchope climbed to meet Stefano Eranio's corner with a firm header that Thomas Myhre could only palm into the air. A clutch of players jumped for the loose ball but Burton produced the biggest leap to nod home his seventh goal of the season.

The difference between the clubs was not apparent for much of the match, although Derby were persistent after the interval. The mysteries of fate were encapsulated in the form of Burton. In December he was on loan to Barnsley, who, not entirely jocularly, were said to be eager to buy him after his first appearance and just as keen to return him after the next.

But with three goals in the past three fixtures that he has started, there has been a quicksilver change in the previously inconsistent Jamaican.

That knack for transformation eludes Everton. The only alterations took place against their wishes, when David Unsworth had to be replaced because of a calf strain and reorganisation diminished their resilience in defence.

Until then, Everton were prospering. Their reputation for penalty-box harmlessness is left behind when they leave Goodison. In the 37th minute, Olivier Dacourt found Francis Jeffers, the teenager who was making his first full appearance for the club. The young forward then placed it unintentionally into the path of Nick Barmby, who finished with a smart shot.

Given their rigour in defence and speed on the break, it seemed that Walter Smith's side might flourish. Derby, then, were too elaborate and only in the second half did they harass the visitors. After 51 minutes, Francesco Baiano released Paulo Wanchope and, when he crossed, Richard Dunne was lying on the ground, having lost his balance when Burton brushed against him. The Jamaican glided an awkward, bouncing ball into the net.

"Burton is having a taste of success," Smith, the Derby manager, said, "and I hope he will work even harder now to become better." Five minutes from time, Dorigo crossed and Wanchope pounded a header that Thomas Myhre, the goalkeeper, did well to thrust into the air. Burton was able to run at the ball and out-jump bigger opponents to head home.

The satisfaction of Derby, after a mere two defeats in 13 matches, is tempered only by the fact that they lost Wanchope with an injured hamstring and expect to be without him for the FA Cup-tie at Huddersfield Town next weekend, though Dean Sturridge is expected to be fit by then.

There are no consolations for Everton, who are now without a win in their past seven matches. Barmby did give them their first goal in more than five hours of Premiership football, but that is a fact for statisticians rather than solace for supporters.

Everton are fourth from bottom, and are on course for what is becoming their annual cliffhanger. In four of the last five seasons their Premiership status has been confirmed only in the last week of the season.

A game played in bitter cold did not seem a great attraction but the 27,606 who braved the elements witnessed an enjoyable match with plenty of attacking football. Derby had the lion's share of possession but if goalscoring has been a worry for Everton, the visitors' defending has been consistent and the home team paid the price for being over-elaborate.

Everton took the lead in the 38th minute with a splendidly worked goal. The impressive Oliver Dacourt was the architect with a defence-splitting pass to debutant Francis Jeffers, whose control allowed Nick Barmby to score with a low shot from 15 yards.

Derby were more direct in the second half and their cause was helped when Everton had to reorganise after David Unsworth sustained a calf injury. Francesco Baiano freed Paulo Wanchope down the right in the 51st minute and the Costa Rican's shot-cum-cross reached Burton who scored from close range with the outside of his right foot.

Everton dug in and seemed destined to earn a valuable point until five minutes from time when Burton struck again. A corner was only half cleared and Tony Dorigo returned the ball into the goalmouth. Wanchope rose highest and Thomas Myhre did well to palm the header away but Burton, the Jamaican World Cup striker, reacted quickest to nod the ball home.

Derby manager Jim Smith, who had sent Burton on loan to Barnsley earlier this season, said: "Deon is just 22 and I've always felt he had the potential to do the business. He's just a little laid-back, but he did well today."

Burton is assured of his place in the FA Cup-tie at Huddersfield on Saturday, not only because of his two goals but as Wanchope will be out for at least two weeks with a hamstring injury.

Smith was understandably upbeat at the way his side bounced back from Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Manchester United. "Sixth place is terrific for us and with one or two clubs around us dropping points and going off the boil you never know what might happen," he said.

Walter Smith, the Everton manager, said: "I was always worried about us in the air from set pieces because we were missing so many players at the back. When Unsworth went off we left ourselves short in this respect. There's no problem with morale, which has been good all season, but we need to bounce back and get a run going."

Manchester United       1 - 0  Derby County          55,174
Yorke 65                

Aston Villa             1 - 3  Blackburn Rovers      37,404 
Joachim 69                     Southgate og 32, Ward 62, Dunn 64
Chelsea                 1 - 0  Southampton           34,920
Zola 11              
Leeds United            0 - 1  Newcastle United      40,202
                               Solano 63
Leicester City          0 - 2  Sheffield Wednesday   20,133 
                               Jonk 48, Carbone 78
Liverpool               3 - 1  Middlesbrough         39,000
Owen 9, Heggem 44, Ince 45     Stamp 86
Nottingham Forest       1 - 8  Manchester United     30,025   
Rogers 6                       Yorke 2,66, Cole 7,49,
                               Solskjaer 80,88,91,93
Tottenham Hotspur       0 - 0  Coventry City         34,376

West Ham United         0 - 4  Arsenal 4             26,042
                               Bergkamp 35, Overmars 45
                               Anelka 83, Parlour 87
 

Derby County            2 - 1  Everton               27,603
Burton 51,85                   Barmby 38

Charlton Athletic       2 - 0  Wimbledon             20,002
Pringle 37, Blackwell og:68 

Club                          P    W    D    L   GF   GA   GD   Pts
Manchester United            25   14    8    3   59   27   32   50
Chelsea                      24   12   10    2   35   19   16   46
Arsenal                      24   12    9    3   28   11   17   45
Aston Villa                  24   12    7    5   36   25   11   43
Liverpool                    24   11    5    8   47   29   18   38
Derby County                 25    9   10    6   25   22    3   37
Leeds United                 24    9    9    6   36   24   12   36
Wimbledon                    24    9    8    7   29   35   -6   35
West Ham United              24    9    6    9   25   35  -10   33
Middlesbrough                24    7   11    6   33   31    2   32
Tottenham Hotspur            24    7   10    7   29   31   -2   31
Newcastle United             24    8    7    9   29   32   -3   31
Leicester City               24    7    9    8   25   29   -4   30
Sheffield Wednesday          24    8    5   11   27   23    4   29
Blackburn Rovers             24    6    7   11   25   31   -6   25
Coventry City                24    6    6   12   23   32   -9   24
Everton                      24    5    9   10   14   27  -13   24
Charlton Athletic            24    4    8   12   28   37   -9   20
Southampton                  24    5    5   14   23   47  -24   20
Nottingham Forest            24    3    7   14   20   49  -29   16