Derby face Man Utd in Carling Cup Semi-Final

December 8, 2008 | Fixtures

Derby’s League Cup destiny lies in the hands of one of the finest football clubs in the World…

After beating Stoke at the Britannia Stadium in a gruelling yet rewarding quarter-final last week, Derby were on a high. They have not reached the semi-final stages of the League Cup since 1968 - 40 years ago - you can imagine the elation from the squad after such a nail-biting finish.

So when the draw for the Semi Finals were announced on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday this weekend, you can imagine the exhilieration from Pride Park when they saw Manchester United picked to travel to Pride Park for the first leg.

The first clash will happen on the week commencing January 5th, 2009, dependent on other fixtures but having the upper hand of starting at home will certainly give Derby that much needed support. Thousands and thousands of Ram fans will be packing out Pride Park to see their heroes take on Alex Ferguson’s mighty United, in vein hope of a worthy result.

Ticket information will be announced soon so keep your eyes and ears open for the big sale.

Update: the fixtures have been finalised today: the first leg will be at 7.45pm on Wednesday 7th January 2009 and the return leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday 20th January 2009, kicking off at the slightly later 8pm. The League Cup Final will be held at Wembley on Sunday 1st March 2009.

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Derby beat Stoke in League Cup Quarter Final

December 2, 2008 | Fixtures

Stoke City 0 Derby County 1

While Derby’s league campaign has had mixed results, the League Cup was a completely different affair. Derby haven’t reached the quarter finals of the league cup in 20 odd years so they had already exceeded expectations. It was now time to step it up a gear against Premiership side, Stoke City - and on away turf as well.

The first half had little to talk about. The only highlight was a disallowed goal from Richard Creswell due to a handball.

Both teams stepped it up a gear after the break though.

Kris Commons and Miles Addison both rattled the woodwork while Stoke’s Ricardo Fuller was denied the other end of the pitch thanks to an amazing save from Roy Carroll.

It was in the fourth minute of injury time when Andy Griffin handballed Przemyslaw Kazmierczak’s cross, forcing referee Rob Styles to reward Derby a penalty. Nathan Ellington accepted duty and smoothly rolled the ball past Stoke’s Steve Simonsen, progressing Derby through to the semi-finals.

Derby haven’t beaten a Premiership team in 25 games since Paul Jewell took the management post, so you can imagine the adilation he was feeling.

Derby are now in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup, the furthest they have ever been in the League Cup in 40 years.

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Derby face Stoke in Carling Cup Quarter Finals

November 17, 2008 | Fixtures, News

The draw was held for the quarter finals of the Carling League Cup at lunchtime this Saturday and all eyes from Derby were on ball number four.

With five Premiership teams in the line-up - including Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspurs, Blackburn and Stoke City - chances were on Derby had a tough game ahead with some tough competition. Saying that, Burnley did the Championship teams proud earlier in the week by beating current holders Chelsea in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out. It was anybody’s cup now!

So imagine our delight when fellow Midlanders Stoke City got pulled from the draw just before our beloved Derby County.

The clash will be held at Britannia Stadium on Tuesday 2nd December 2008 at 7.45pm. Ticket details are still to be finalised but you can be sure thousands of Derby fans will be heading up the A50 to Stoke that evening for a night of goals, tears and celebrations (hopefully, in favour of Derby).

Come on you Potters - we’ll have you!

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Derby progress to Carling Cup quarters by beating Leeds

November 11, 2008 | Fixtures

Derby County 2 Leeds United 1

Derby’s Carling Cup campaign has gone from strength to strength this season - getting to the 4th round was their best performance in the League Cup since 1998. So, facing Leeds United on home turf was bound to be an intense game.

Thankfully, Emanuel Villa gave Derby an early lead in the 6th minute sending in a beautiful left-foot shot after beating Lubomir Michalik.

Nathan Ellington doubled Derby’s lead 12 minutes later with a simple touch in after Kris Commons did all the hard work beating off Leeds’ defence.

Luciano Becchio managed to head in a consolation goal before the break but that was all Leeds had in them. They dominated the second half but struggled to convert any chances, allowing Derby to qualify for the quarter finals.

The Quarter Final Draw of the Carling Cup will take place during Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports this Saturday 12-1pm GMT.

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Emmanuel Villa hits hat-trick to beat Brighton

November 5, 2008 | Fixtures

Brighton Hove Albion 1 Derby County 4

Derby’s Carling Cup campaign has gone from strength to strength after a delayed schedule the other month so the long awaited journey to Brighton certainly had high expectations.

After 28 minutes, Emmanuel Villa commenced his show-stopping performance with the opening goal after John Sullivan struggled to hold Przemyslaw Kazmierczak’s cross.

Nathan Ellington followed up with another after 6 minutes, connecting with Dean Leacock’s cross.

Brighton restored some confidence before the break though when Tommy Elphick headed in a consolation goal taking the half-time score to 1-2.

Brighton showed a lot of confidence throughout the second half but struggled to find an equaliser.

Instead, man of the match Emmanuel Villa took Derby 3-1 up in the 73rd minute before sealing the deal 3 minutes from time with a tidy little 6-yarder.

Derby will now host the 4th round tie against Leeds on Tuesday 11th November at Pride Park, intending on progressing to the 5th round for the first time in decades.

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Derby travel to Brighton for 3rd Round of Carling Cup

September 25, 2008 | Fixtures

Last night, Brighton and Hove proved that money can’t buy you everything.

The long-awaited clash between Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City was finally played - and what a game it was too.

Carling Cup logo Brighton went ahead just after the hour when Gelson Fernandes knocked in the first goal, giving Brighton the advantage for the rest of the game.

It was only in the 89th minute when Glenn Murray levelled for the travelling side before Brighton managed to knock in another goal in extra time thanks to Joe Anyinsah’s late effort.

Amazingly, City’s Stephen Ireland squeezed in an equaliser before the whistle taking the game to penalties.

But it was the Seagulls who held their nerve, taking the win and a ticket to the third round clash against the Rams down at the Withdean Stadium.

Derby will travel to Brighton on Tuesday 4th November 2008 in vain hope of continuing their successful run in the Carling Cup.

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