Derby’s James Collins controversially sent off after making contact with Port Vale player

Derby’s James Collins got controversially sent off after making physical contact with Port Vale player Nathan Smith in fury.

The Rams fell to a shock 2-1 League One defeat to the Valiants in a controversial match at a Pride Park which as also had an incredibly loud atmosphere.

James Collins put the hosts ahead in Paul Warne’s first home league game as manager, but was later sent off as Vale hit back through an Ellis Harrison penalty and a strike from James Wilson sealed all three points.

Derby hit Vale on the break just five minutes in with Tom Barkhuizen sending in a cross for Collins to fire past Jack Stevens from 12 yards.

Stevens denied Nathaniel Mendez-Laing but Vale then blew a great chance when Tom Conlon dragged his 15th minute penalty wide after Dan Jones was caught by Barkhuizen.

Vale fought on, but Derby very nearly made it two in the 35th minute when Lewis Dobbin’s shot went wide from 10 yards.

The visitors were handed another penalty in the 55th minute when Richard Stearman handled the ball from a corner and this time Harrison made no mistake.

Collins was shown a straight red three minutes later after a clash with Nathan Smith and Port Vale won it in the 66th minute when Harrison set up Wilson to score from 15 yards.

Fans inside the stadium felt referee Sam Allison had controversially sent off striker James Collins against Port Vale. Booing the decision. We’ll let you judge for yourself…

James Collins red card #dcfc pic.twitter.com/gMxzIl7uYZ

— Derby County LA (@DerbyCountyLA) October 8, 2022

Full incident btw pic.twitter.com/0KI0mZjfUI

— Derby County LA (@DerbyCountyLA) October 8, 2022

Paul Warne said: “The frustrating thing for me is I had asked the players to play on the edge and with anger. He’s just overstepped it.

“I can’t say categorically, but I don’t think he hit the player, he hit the ground in frustration. But I understand that frustration because as the ball is coming in, they are both grabbing each other.

“Collo is trying to get the ball and the defender is just trying to stop him from getting it. The most frustrating thing is the free-kicks against him. In my opinion, and I am biased, at best it’s not a free-kick either way. They are both grabbing each other. That’s what happens.

“To give it against him and obviously his emotions have overspilled. The consequence was you all saw it. I can understand why the ref has given it because the way the player was I thought he had broken his nose or something I am not a ref batterer, but there were some other decisions that I probably wasn’t as comfortable with.”

Warne added: “I was disappointed with the result and disappointed with parts of the performance but really pleased with others.

“We started really well, scored, and deserved to get another two. I thought we were pretty scintillating in the first half. We were very good on the counter-attack but probably didn’t have quite as much control in midfield as I hoped.

“It was a bit of a basketball game. We limited them to corners and long throws and they didn’t really break us open. That was the first half and I was disappointed we only had a one-goal lead. I thought the football Gods were being nice because they missed a penalty that was on the other side of dubious.

“In the second half, the turning point was the sending-off. We gave away an unnecessary outswinging corner. There was a hand and that gave them a right boost “I can’t knock the lads’ efforts but the last 15-20 minutes were more like a school match. There were not any tactical nuances to talk about, we just had to dig in and try to get something on the break.

“Overall it doesn’t take away from how amazing my day was. I know it sounds selfish but managing this football club is great and I am disappointed for the fans that we didn’t get the result. Sometimes football is cruel and today it did feel like we were on the wrong end of a few things.”

Reflecting post-match, Port vale manager Darrell Clarke said: “It was an entertaining game; a few decisions went our way today and we managed to capitalise on it.

“I think after last week against Sheffield Wednesday, we have to play without fear against some of the bigger teams in the league and we came here, didn’t get off to a great start, and then we got a little bit of a foothold in the game within the first 20 minutes and they then looked dangerous on the counter, they have some good players.

“We then got the penalty, missed the penalty and you start thinking it is not going to be our day but the lads have shown it over a period of time that they have a lot of character about them and we needed that today.

“It is a good day for our football club, a good day for our owners who have put a lot of money and effort into the football club and then to see our tremendous fanbase fill out the away end.

“The support today was absolutely outstanding – even when we were 1-0 down, our fans sang louder, and we thank them for their support and wish them a safe journey home.”

Discussing his goalscorers, Clarke said the duo were exemplary in the way they led the line for his side.

“You have to come back and get back in games and the mentality of the team was very good today,” he said.

“I thought Ellis Harrison and James Wilson were absolutely outstanding and gave us a good foothold in the game and both deservedly got on the scoresheet.

“They are two good players; Willo takes a few games to get up to speed but when he does we know he is a cracking player. He gives me more than just goals, he is very clued in with and without the ball. Ellis was a battering ram today; he won so many first contacts, took so many knocks and kicks and our fans will be very appreciative of that because they love an old-fashioned number nine and he is certainly performing very well in the first quarter of the season.”

This is what Twitter users said with Derby’s James Collins controversially sent off after making contact with a Port Vale player in his angry reaction…

@SteveBloomerPod: James Collins appears to throw his arm towards the ground in frustration, makes contact with the Vale player, and gets sent off. How can the ref know for certain that was deliberate? #dcfc

@TwistedmindPhot: As a Vale fan we have had these decisions go against us often. Its clear he does slap the ground but the arm could of caught him to. The problem was you started to loose concentration and saw a red mist. A set back but you will go up, see you at Vale Park for the return game

@DerbyCountyLA: As a derby fan it’s 100% a red. Ref was absolutely awful throughout but this is a red you can’t deny it

@lornestreetlads: Ref was poor for both sides to be fair. Definitely a red.

@harveybrock9: He knows exactly what he’s doing deserves a 3 match ban

@jrbt86: So frustrating but that’s a red and probable 3 match ban

@Simmy_P: Can’t really argue on this one.

@jellis90: Handbags from both players and nothing more. Referee a disgrace all game long.

@_Bish___: shouldn’t be doing it but it’s never a red 🤣 #dcfc

@miawakefield_xx: just me or did he not even hit him. his arm literally goes over his head ffs

@scottyw82: Defo red, but it embarrassing from Vale player. Absolute clown.

@Reecedcfc: Should be a red card the other way 🤣

@boleyuk: Red card all day long. Even if he appeals as a misbalance, he throws it down intentionally with all bodily force. If he’d caught him properly that would been a cheekbone breaker.

@BenMorris82: About as clear a red as you’re likely see

@ryantizzard: Load of bollocks, ref took any chance he could to make sure Derby get fuck all

@marktheram7: Clearly the Vale player wasn’t hurt at all, but I’ve no idea what Collins was thinking. Stupid.

@mikeepritch: You can see why the ref gave it tbf. But the rest of the game he was woeful. Got outplayed in midfield 2nd half #dcfc so no grumbles from me with the result. Woeful for Vales 2nd

@DaryllGenius: Whether we like it or not. Whether he meant it or not, that’s a red. #dcfc

@4evaNFFC: #dcfc fans saying how shit the ref was for sending off Collins. What do you think should have happened here, the Vale player booked for play acting? Victim FC are at it again 🤣🤣🤣

@TalkDerbyPod: Joke

@Matty_Butler96: I’d expect to get sent off even if I did this in a Sunday league match. Can’t be reacting that way! If it was the other way around I’m sure derby fans would be asking for a red card too!

@LewisJubb: 🤣 can clearly see he isn’t trying to hit the player and he barely does ffs then the guy who pushed him doesn’t even get booked after hahahaha

@Smithyyy95: Deliberate or not… why? Just giving the ref a decision to make ffs

@dcfcnick: Never ever a red

@derby_lad: No complaints from me looks a red

@kp_dcfc: Never a red

@tyler_bfc: How are they complaining about a red for this

@StephenPaul91: Unreal. At least it will get rescinded. Ref should be forced to drown in a vat of his own piss. Cunt.