Blank day is overdue

Tuesday 18 November 2008

Derby County’s first shut out in nine League matches lifted them off the bottom of the table for clean sheets in the Championship.

Their one clean sheet in the League before Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday had come in the 2-0 win against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in September.

The Rams are now one of three teams with only two clean sheets after 17 games. The others are rivals Nottingham Forest and Norwich City.

Bristol City, Reading and Sheffield United lead the way with eight, followed by Crystal Palace on seven.

Surprisingly, Championship leaders Wolves have kept only three clean sheets but they are the division’s highest scorers with 39 goals.

CLEAN SHEETS (after 17 games): 8 Bristol City, Reading, Sheffield Utd; 7 Crystal Palace; 6 Cardiff, Ipswich, Plymouth, QPR; 5 Barnsley, Birmingham, Burnley, Doncaster, Sheffield Wed, Southampton, Swansea; 4 Blackpool, Coventry; 3 Charlton, Preston, Watford, Wolves; 2 Derby, Norwich, Forest.

Other stories on this day

• Fanfare for the Commons man
• Next test for Lewin is to keep run going
• Rams to take a deserved breather after hitting form in hectic spell
• Marian's long stint at club is at an end