Derby County hosted Burnley in the Championship looking to put an end to the visitors's run of four straight victories.
Burnley's rhythm was disrupted in the first half when record-signing Andre Gray left the field with a hamstring injury and neither side forged any clear-cut chances.
After the interval, Richard Keogh flashed one header wide of goal and saw another cleared off the line by Tendayi Darikwa as both sides had to settle for a point.
Read how the match unfolded in our blow-by-blow account.
Thanks for joining me! Two of the Championship title favourites go head-to-head this evening at the iPro Stadium, with both Derby County and Burnley hitting a good run of form.
First things first, though, let's get the team news.
DERBY COUNTY: Carson; Christie, Shackell, Keogh, Forsyth; Russell, Johnson, Butterfield, Thorne; Weimann, Martin
Subs: Grant, Hendrick, Bent, Pearce, Hanson, Shotton, Warnock
Subs: Grant, Hendrick, Bent, Pearce, Hanson, Shotton, Warnock
BURNLEY: Heaton; Darikwa, Duff, Keane, Mee; Boyd, Jones, Arfield, Kightly; Vokes, Gray
Subs: Gilks, Ward, Hennings, Taylor, Lowton, Long, Barton
Subs: Gilks, Ward, Hennings, Taylor, Lowton, Long, Barton
Let's begin with the hosts. Boss Paul Clement has made two changes from the 1-0 victory over Reading in their last outing. Injury forces that game's goalscorer, Tom Ince, out of the matchday squad, while Jeff Hendrick drops to the bench. George Thorne comes into midfield, with Andreas Weimann replacing Ince in attack.
It's an unchanged lineup for Burnley, but there is some big team news from their camp. Joey Barton - everyone's favourite social media philosopher - has been included in the squad for the first time since joining the club on a free transfer. Don't be surprised if we see him at some point tonight.
Never short of an opinion, Barton has said that 'Premier League clubs were lazy' to not sign the former QPR man. Sean Dyche has taken the plunge by convincing the midfielder to sign a one-year deal with the Clarets though, and he'll be hoping Barton can fire them straight back into the top flight.
Talking of opinions, here's a little preview of tonight's game brought to you by the glamorous Sports Mole team:
Or if that doesn't float your boat, here's an audio preview of the match:
Just ten minutes until kickoff and both teams are flying going into the match. Derby have recovered from a poor start to win their last two games, but Burnley have won four in a row coming into tonight's clash. Victory tonight could see them move as high as second, although they'd need to win by six clear goals to usurp Middlesbrough...
Sean Dyche has been speaking to Sky Sports News before the game about facing his former player, Jason Shackell, who switched clubs in the summer and will be coming up against his former side. Dyche said: "That's the business we're in. Facing him won't be a problem. He's moved on and so have we."
The teams are on the way onto the pitch, so there's just about time for me to make a prediction. Derby have always impressed me in recent seasons, but I think Burnley's fantastic form will see them clinch a 2-1 away victory this evening.
KICKOFF: Derby get us underway, kicking from right to left at the iPro Stadium.
Derby have surrendered possession twice already with a couple of aimless long balls and Kightly's dangerous left-wing cross is put behind for a corner by Keogh.
Jones's corner is cleared at the near post by Martin and Burnley are forced backwards.
A positive start by Burnley, who are forcing Derby into a number of errors. The latest sees Boyd slip Gray through inside the area, but Shackell sticks in a toe. Second corner already for Burnley, but Carson claims this one.
A free kick for Derby just inside the Burnley half after Jones brings down Johnson. The midfield battle is likely to be where this game is won and lost, and there are a number of talented midfielders on show for both sides.
Weimann goes down inside the area as he attempts to latch onto Thorne's clipped through ball, but the referee is right to wave play on, as the Austrian flung himself to the floor with minimal contact.
CLOSE! The Burnley defence were caught napping by a long ball and Heaton did just enough to make a really strong block challenge on Martin right on the edge of the area. He had to time that tackle perfectly and he did. The defence owe their goalkeeper one!
Shackell with a nervous pass out of defence which is pounced upon and Gray is released instantly. However, Keogh gets his body inbetween the striker and the ball and wins a free kick for his side.
The battle of the wingers on the far side, as Russell chases Kightly all the way back to his own goalline and wins the ball off his opposite number. Great defensive work by the Derby winger.
Better from Derby. Johnson's cross-field switch finds Russell on the right flank, who plays a one-two with Butterfield before firing towards goal, but his effort is blocked by the head of Keane.
Darikwa is forced to head Christie's deep cross behind for a corner. Can Derby make something of this?
No, is the answer. Keogh was closest to connecting with the ball but Burnley did just enough to get rid of it.
SHOT! It was never in danger of going in, but that's the first real attempt of the night from Butterfield. Carson easily gathered the 20-yard shot, which wasn't really hit with any venom.
CHANCE! Gray gets inbetween the two Derby defenders and leaps well to connect with Kightly's inswinging cross from the left, but he heads over. The whistle had already gone for a push against the Burnley forward, but he's looked lively so far.
Gray seems to hobbling somewhat. That will be a concern for Dyche, as the forward has looked like the best player on the pitch in the opening quarter of an hour.
Russell has another effort from distance, but it flies wildly high and wide.
CHANCE! Martin gets in front of his defender to connect with Christie's cross, but heads wide of the post.
Well, Gray is now down on the turf receiving treatment. This doesn't look good for the visitors.
Christie is proving to be a great outlet for Derby. His latest cross is fumbled by Heaton, but Weimann can't react to force the ball goalwards.
Gray slices a 25-yard shot high into the stand behind the goal. Perhaps a sign that he isn't quite right.
Gray again is dispossessed by Thorne, but Burnley win the ball back. Gray then chests down a long ball into the path of Darikwa, but the right-back gets a little over-excited and scuffs a 30-yard volley. It's so weak it does't even go out of play!
Approaching the half-hour mark, and we're missing that bit of quality so far. It's a little disappointing given the billing I gave both teams in the build-up...
Shackell gives Carson a slightly precarious backpass and the goalkeeper can only clear for a throw-in with Vokes bearing down on him.
SUBSTITUTION: That's it. Gray has tried to continue, but he's lying on the turf again. He understandably doesn't want his hamstring issue to worsen, so the German striker Hennings comes on for just his second league appearance of the season.
Intricate build-up play by Derby, but it's too congested and they run the ball out of play.
Christie skips away from Kightly down the right and the ball is worked into the box. It comes all the way across to the far side and Russell is penalised for a push on Mee at the far post. Applause from the Derby fans, who recognise the effort, but they're not quite doing enough with the ball so far.
Kightly delivers a low cross towards the penalty spot, but Derby clear and Mee fouls Russell as the ball comes back out of the area.
Forsyth miscontrols a ball and gifts Burnley a throw-in in the Derby half. That just about sums up the first period so far.
Russell drops into a nice pocket of space inbetween the Burnley defence and midfield, but his pass to Weimann just has too much on it and Darikwa nips in to clear.
Christie again with time and space to deliver a cross, but it's far too deep for anyone to get near.
Burnley go straight down to other end with Mee, who wins a corner off the shins of Christie.
CHANCE! A clever corner routine from Burnley, who float in a corner to the near post. It evades everyone and Shackell just about gets a toe to clear it initially, but Carson punches the bouncing ball straight to Boyd. However, he can only hook his shot over the bar under pressure.
Christie with a bit of Sunday League skill, as he goes to step over the ball but instead steps on it. Not great.
Burnley gift Derby the ball and they break forward in numbers, but a series of poor passes ends with Butterfield floating the ball over the head of Martin. Really poor final product again.
TWO MINUTES OF ADDED TIME
CLOSE! Darikwa gives the ball away this time, and Russell releases Christie on the overlap. The Derby right-back drives a low cross right across the face of goal and only a fantastic interception from Darikwa stops Martin from applying the simplest of finishes.
HALF TIME: Derby County 1-1 Burnley
So yeah... you know I said that these two are among the favourites for promotion? I wasn't lying, I promise. It really was poor from both sides though, and there wasn't a good, flowing move from either side until stoppage time. It's the first time either side have managed to deliver a quality final ball.
Christie, who's been the main culprit of poor delivery so far, did well with that final cross, but both sides must do much better. Burnley have hardly had a sniff since Gray went off injured.
Considering there's not a whole lot to talk about here, let's take a look at the headlines from elsewhere. The two main stories revolve around Chelsea's controversial 2-0 win over Arsenal at the weekend. Diego Costa has since been charged with violent conduct by the FA, while Arsenal have said that they will appeal Gabriel's red card.
KICKOFF: Burnley get us back under way at the iPro Stadium. Will we see goals in this half? Let's hope so!
Burnley go long from the kick off, but Boyd's flick on rolls out of play for a Derby throw-in.
Christie saw tons of the ball in the first half, but did very little with it on the whole. He's already got forward again and skips past Kightly, but he's unlucky to see his cut back just escape Russell. Much better from the Republic of Ireland full-back.
SHOT! Butterfield cuts inside from the right wing and with Burnley disorganised, he has space to get the ball out of his feet and shoot from 25 yards, but it sails into the crowd behind the goal. Heaton was never fearing that effort.
Again Christie has the opportunity to cross but hits the first man. It comes out to Russell, who does the complete opposite and floats it harmlessly into the arms of Heaton. Perhaps Derby should have a go at attacking down the left for once, as the delivery from the right-hand side has been appalling.
But no, they come again down the right and Russell wins a corner. It's cleared as far as Butterfield, who crashes a shot into Hennings. Another corner.
CHANCE! Keogh connects with the corner just beyond the near post, but gets too firm a contact and the ball pings off his head, flying wide of the near post. The best chance so far!
Derby have continued their dominance after the interval, but are struggling to break down an organised Burnley side. Having said that, Burnley will be knackered if they continue like this. They haven't had a period of possession in absolutely ages, stretching back to the first half.
Burnley settle on the ball for a while now, but aimlessly launch a ball in the direction of their forwards, and they lose possession again.
Butterfield skips in from the left wing again, but it's the same result, as the ball sails into the stand. He's bitterly frustrated with himself.
Burnley eventually get the ball forward but it's all a bit scruffy. First, Boyd's cross is partially cleared, then Kightly runs into the box, but is tackled.
A free kick for Derby on the right side of the area, on the corner of the patently area. Russell is standing over it. Will he deliver a good ball?
It's alright, nothing more, and Burnley get a head to the ball to clear.
The crowd are up on their feet as Burnley are forced into another mistake. Much better intensity from Derby in the second half. Christie's deep cross finds Johnson, but his header back across goal only finds a Burnley defender.
Burnley simply cannot get out of their half. Forsyth hassles and harries Arfield, who surrenders possession, much to the delight of the home crowd.
The biggest culprit for Burnley so far has been Hennings, who has consistently given the ball away since coming on.
The home crowd are angry after Boyd isn't flagged for offside, but he's forced backwards by Christie.
Burnley's ball retention has been incredibly poor. They've done nothing of note from open play since Gray left the field after half an hour.
SAVE! Just as a say that, Vokes stings the palms of Carson with a shot from 25 yards. It was a pretty straight forward save, but a small glimmer of hope for the visitors.
Christie with yet another cross from the right flank which is cleared.
Guess what? ANOTHER Chrisite cross. Surprise surprise, he doesn't pick out a teammate, but Darikwa is forced into chesting the ball behind for a corner.
SUBSTITUTION: Hendrick comes on to replace Butterfield, who has had a frustrating evening.
Vokes lets the ball bounce off him and Burnley lose possession again. Dyche needs to change something.
OFF THE LINE! Keogh connects with another Russell corner, this time at the far post. He can't do any more, as he guides it beyond Heaton. It looks as though it's going to nestle in the far corner, but Darikwa heads the ball off the line!
SAVE! Could a goal be coming? Thorne's rasping strike needs tipping over the bar by Heaton. The crowd are up for this now!
It's been all Derby in this second half, but they need to make their dominance pay. They've got 10 minutes to find a winner.
CHANCE! Shackell goes to ground to win the ball, but gets in pickle. Boyd escapes with the ball, but blasts a knee-high pass at Vokes, who can only guide the ball over the bar. A shocking pass from Boyd. If that pass was on the floor Vokes would surely have scored!
SUBSTITUTION: A change for either side. Taylor comes on for Kightly for Burnley, while Hanson replaces Thorne for Derby.
Heaton claws away Russell's header which is bouncing dangerously in the box. This game has come to life with just a few minutes remaining!
Hendrick tries a highly ambitious effort from 30+ yards, which Heaton watches all the way as he drops to his knees to gather.
SAVE! Vokes with another chance, but he should have done better with this one. Boyd turns Forsyth on the byline and picks out his striker, who scuffs a shot from the penalty spot which Carson gathers to his right.
Burnley have a chance to test Derby late on, but the corner is chipped into the hands of Carson. So, so poor.
A free kick for Derby at the other end as Mee brings down Russell on the right wing. Russell is standing over it, 25 yards from goal and Derby have sent the cavalry forward.
But it's another shocking cross, as it sails over everyone and goes out of play for a goal kick. Clement will be tearing his hair out.
One minute left and still no sign of Barton...
Russell gets to the byline and picks out Martin, but Keane steps in to block the forward's low shot.
SAVE! Martin gets some space a little further out a few moments later, and Heaton has to dive to his right to push away the strike.
TWO MINUTES OF ADDED TIME
Darikwa shields a through ball out of play and that could well be that...
Arfield smashes the ball downfield and wastes a few more seconds.
Russell flicks the ball on, but Heaton gets there first and that is surely it?
FULL TIME: Derby County 0-0 Burnley
That was a snooze-fest. Not quite the Monday night action we were all expecting from two of the supposedly better sides in the Championship.
The draw brings an end to winning runs for both sides, and remarkably Derby are still without a home win this season.
Where does tonight's result leave Derby and Burnley? Well, Burnley have moved up to third and Derby have jumped ahead of rivals Nottingham Forest into 11th place.
Thanks for sticking with me tonight. I know it can't have been easy after the dour draw, but before I leave you here's Giuseppe Labellarte's match report. Isn't he a talented chap, getting it up on the site already. Until next time!
Written by
Kristian Johnson
Kristian Johnson
