3/1 To Win
Ten-man Derby County Under-23s were beaten 2-1 after extra-time by Sheffield United in the Premier League Cup Round of 16.
Lewis Walker gave Darren Wassall's side the lead in the first-half, but the game was changed when Jayden Bogle was sent-off after the break.
To their credit, the Blades capitalised, and goals from Simeon Oure and then David Parkhouse - in the extra period - secured their path into the next round.
The game was played at a high-tempo but Derby managed to control the early stages, with Alex Cover and Bogle combining well down the right-hand side before the latter’s cross was eventually cleared.
Just before the half-hour mark, the Rams made their pressure count. Walker pounced on a wayward pass before calmly slotting home with his left foot beyond the helpless Jake Eastwood.
The pace of the game remained for the rest of the half but quality in the final-third was short, but a major flashpoint altered the dynamic of the tie just seven minutes into the second period.
Bogle went up for an aerial duel and after vocal appeals from the Blades, he was given his marching orders.
Luke Thomas shifted into Bogle’s right-sided midfield role as Walker continued as the lone striker, with the Rams coming under pressure in the minutes after the red card.
United had an even better chance to equalise shortly after, but Reece York headed straight at Roos from point-blank range.
The chances continued to come and eventually, the Blades drew themselves level. Roos did brilliantly to keep out the initial strike but after a cross fell to the back post, Oure slammed emphatically into the roof of the net to set up extra-time.
Just three minutes in, York was inches away from giving his side the lead, as his effort trickled wide of the far post with Roos motionless, before Derby had a fantastic opportunity of their own.
Kyle McAllister – making his first competitive appearance for the club – set up fellow substitute Matty Taylor, but Alex Babos’ close-range header was kept out by Eastwood with his feet.
The game then settled into a familiar pattern as the home side dominated and the pressure told when Roos kept out a decent effort, only for Parkhouse to tap into the empty net.
Derby fought hard, with Roos sensationally going close with a header from one of a succession of corners, but it was United that went through to the quarter-finals.
Sheffield United: Eastwood; Cantrill, Graham (Parkhouse, HT), Semple, Portman (Potts, 74’); York, Slater, Gilmour, Broadbent; Smith, Oure (Belehouan, 120').
Substitutes not used: Kelly, Ompreon.
Derby County: Roos; Cover, Wassall, Bateman, Karic; Babos, Bird; Bogle, Thomas (McAllister, 75’), Cresswell (Taylor, 90’); Walker.
Substitutes not used: Barnes, Buchanan, Mitchell-Lawson.
Major Moment…
The Rams showed flashes of attacking promise against the odds in extra-time, but the man advantage told shortly before the break.
Roos made several superb saves on the night but this time around, Parkhouse was the lucky man on hand to slot home with the goal at his mercy.
Who Impressed…
The Rams defended heroically for large parts of the second-half and the display was typified by Joe Bateman, who won every ball that was thrown his way.
Back at centre-back, he showed the defensive prowess required to thwart the home side for long spells as they poured forward after the dismissal of Bogle.
What’s Next…
The Rams are straight back in action with the Premier League 2 – Division 1 clash with Chelsea on Saturday afternoon at St George’s Park, before heading into the final month of the season.
The first game of April is the rearranged fixture against Tottenham Hotspur, which will be played on Saturday 7th April at Spurs’ Training Ground.
