Derby County boss Phillip Cocu has aimed a dig at rivals Nottingham Forest after they missed out on the play-offs in dramatic circumstances last night. 

Sabri Lamouchi's side headed into the game in fifth knowing that they needed just a point to secure a top-six finish but a dramatic six-goal swing saw their season end in disappointment.

The Reds lost 4-1 to Stoke City, which meant Swansea City's 4-1 win against 10-man Reading helped them pinch the final play-off place.

It was a heartbreaking finale for Forest, who have spent the last 207 days in the top six but now have to settled for seventh and another season in the Championship.

Wednesday evening was significantly more enjoyable for East Midlands rivals Derby, who capped off their season with a 3-1 win over Birmingham City.

Speaking after the game, Cocu couldn't resist aiming a dig at the Reds for their nightmarish end to the campaign and highlighting how pivotal Chris Martin's 98th-minute equaliser against them at the start of the month had proven.

The Rams' play-off hopes were ended earlier this month in far less dramatic style and they remain a Championship side as well after their 10th-place finish – which means two more East Midlands derbies next term.

Have each of these 15 Derby County players scored a league goal this season? – Can you get 15/15?

 

The Verdict

Derby fans will no doubt love this little dig from Cocu and will surely be ecstatic with the events of the final day.

The City Ground faithful are likely to be feeling quite the opposite and this dig from the Dutch coach is only going to fan the flames of the rivalry between the two clubs.

With both sides looking to build on the progress they made this term and go again in 2020/21, the East Midland derbies look set to be tasty affairs.