Derby boss Nigel Clough defended his players after they were involved in another mass brawl in an ill-tempered 1-0 defeat to Swansea at Pride Park. At least 18 players were involved in a melee near Derby's right corner flag sparked by a wild two-footed lunge from substitute Gorka Pintado on Robbie Savage.

Pintado was sent off, but Derby could still be in trouble because they are already facing an FA charge after a touchline flare-up during last month's game against Nottingham Forest.

But Clough, who had earlier seen Jay McEveley sent off for a second yellow card, said: "Our players did nothing out of order.

"The officials were right there in the corner when it all kicked off and didn't show one yellow card to any other player.

"They are right there and didn't see anything at all and they are the ones who are meant to be in control of it.

"We don't want our players to walk away from that situation, we expect them to support their team-mate in the manner they did.

"No-one wants punches thrown or anything like that but they are entitled to be there to support a player, especially after a tackle like that."

On the two dismissals, Clough added: "Jay has said the little lad (Nathan Dyer) just ran into him but I don't think there was any dispute about the second one.

"It was a two-footed challenge from behind, feet off the floor and I think that in itself led to the problems in the corner."