Hulse hits net as Derby win at last

Hulse: Scored against former club

Jewell has endured a torrid time since succeeding Billy Davies in November last year, but his new-look side ensured he could celebrate three points once again as Derby won in the league for the first time since September 17 last year.

The Rams took the lead midway through the first half at Pride Park when Kris Commons crossed from the left and the ball glanced off Paul Green's head before going in off Matthew Kilgannon.

But soon afterwards Darius Henderson headed home his first Championship goal for the Blades.

Derby dominated after the break and were finally rewarded when Hulse, who left Bramall Lane in the summer, smashed home his first goal for the Rams to lift the gloom around Pride Park.

After a cagey start it was Derby who fashioned the first goalscoring opportunity, with Hulse turning sharply before forcing Paddy Kenny to turn his strike round the post.

Greg Halford came close to breaking the deadlock at the other end when his measured free-kick flashed narrowly wide.

But Derby were in front after 23 minutes when Scotland winger Commons whipped in an inviting cross which glanced off Green's head before striking Kilgannon and flashing into the back of the net.

But just two minutes later the Blades were level with a goal on the counter-attack.

The visitors worked the ball out to the right, where Halford overlapped and picked out Henderson with a pinpoint cross, and the summer signing from Watford rose to nod the ball past Roy Carroll at the back post.

United could have taken the lead just before the break when Billy Sharp found space in the box but shot just wide of the far post.

Jewell made a positive substitution at the break, with Przemyslaw Kazmierczak replaced by on-loan Arsenal forward Nacer Barazite.

And Derby had an opportunity to restore their advantage within a minute of the restart when Chris Morgan fouled Emanuel Villa on the edge of the penalty area, but Commons fired his free-kick just wide of Kenny's right-hand post.

The Rams started to stroke the ball around with confidence and had another opportunity to take the lead after 53 minutes when Paul Connolly crossed into the path of the onrushing Miles Addison, who fired over the crossbar.

And two minutes later came a moment of controversy when Hulse surged into the box before being challenged by Kilgallon.

The referee took time to consult his linesman before awarding a corner, with the Derby players and Jewell expecting him to point to the spot for a penalty.

Derby were in no mood to dwell on that disappointment and Jordan Stewart produced a superb cross for Villa, who rattled the crossbar with a venomous header.

But five minutes later the home side finally got the goal they deserved when Barazite crossed from the right and the ball found its way to Hulse, who gave Kenny no chance with a left-footed finish from eight yards.

Blades boss Kevin Blackwell reacted by replacing Sharp with fit-again striker James Beattie.

Despite a tense finale, Derby held on to finally end their barren run.