Carling Cup - Derby stun United in semi-final

Eurosport - Thu, 08 Jan 09:20:00 2009

An inspired Derby County defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Pride Park.

FOOTBALL; Derby County's Steve Davies (L) gets above Manchester United's Anderson, Jan 2009 - 0

Kris Commons"s 30th-minute strike clinched victory for the Rams after United's defenders backed off the midfielder, who punished their retreat with a fierce drive past Tomasz Kuszczak.

United looked devoid of ideas in attack and, despite the second half introduction of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Carrick, were unable to cancel their arrears, against a dogged and tenacious Derby rearguard.

The cameras were all trained on manager-in-waiting, Nigel Clough, as the new boss was introduced to the home fans, who responded in buoyant fashion with the feeling clearly infectious as the Derby players began the game brightly.

Sir Alex Ferguson fielded a young side, mostly of players of 21 years or under, and the changes caused a number of uncharacteristic unforced errors from United's defence.

The first glimpse of indecision saw Jonny Evans and John O'Shea contrive to make unconvincing clearances in their box, prompting desperate blocks from first Kuszczak, then Nemanja Vidic at the feet of Derby striker Steve Davies's feet.

But 21-year-old Evans atoned for his lack of conviction moments later, scampering back to the United goal-line to clear Mile Sterjovski's shot away, with his keeper stranded, following a Kris Commons corner.

United enjoyed the majority of possession, but could not convert their territorial domination into anything tangible; their best chance falling to O'Shea after a slick exchange with Nani down the left, before the defender's shot was bravely blocked by the retreating Paul Green.

On the half-hour mark, the visitors were made to pay as Commons unleashed a rasping drive from the edge of the area to beat Kuszczak down to his left - a superb opportunist strike, but Ferguson will have bemoaned the lack of pressure applied by his defenders.

Carlos Tevez, desperate to make his mark on proceedings, became increasingly frustrated by a lack of service and dropped deeper and deeper, leaving Danny Wellbeck isolated up-front, leaving both players despondent.

Ferguson resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes at half-time, instead waiting until the 63rd minute to employ the much-revered duo of Rooney and Ronaldo at the expense of the ineffectual Paul Scholes and Wellbeck, with Carrick introduced ten minutes later.

Two chances followed with Ronaldo the culprit on both occasions; the first, a shot from the edge of the box after a foraging run from Rafael, which drifted narrowly wide and the second a trademark free-kick, which came even closer to finding its way into the far corner of Carroll's net.

But it was Derby who had the best opportunity squandered in the 80th minute, after another incisive run and shot from Commons was parried by Kuszczak, and Hulse inexplicably skyed his follow-up shot over the bar.

Ronaldo had another free-kick which he failed to convert, while Commons latched on to substitute Gary Teale's through ball but dragged his shot wide when through on goal.

But Derby clung on to their victory and caretaker boss David Lowe boasts a perfect record from his one game in charge against the English and European champions, with The Rams taking a one-goal lead to Old Trafford for the second leg in two weeks' time.

Dan Quarrel / Eurosport

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  1. ITS NOT OVER TILL THE FAT LADY SINGS, AND I AINT SINGING YET.

    From L H, on Thu 8 Jan 10:53AM

  2. To United, Last seasone Man U won the league on the last game of the season, they "won" the champions league on penalties and they "won" the community shield on penalties as well. Do these constitute as Man U being a great team. Answer is simple, NO! They could't beat chelsea, they couldn't beat portsmouth and the couldn't beat derby so all u man u fans with god compleses i have one thing to say, GET A LIFE!!!

    From David M, on Thu 8 Jan 10:01AM

  3. Liverpool went out of the cup because they came up against a better team. Spurs didn't field at least 4 first-choice players either.And when they both fielded first-teams in the premiership......we beat thm as well.

    From nick, on Thu 8 Jan 9:49AM

  4. I didn't see the game, but when I saw the result I was surprised - yet first one needs to see who played - ManU B team? C-team? But no, ManU A-team - what went wrong? Wasn't Derby the worst PL-team ever? Well, last year both Chelsea and Liverpool lost to Barnlsey - so, the fun must go on...

    From gordon.merk, on Thu 8 Jan 9:42AM

  5. A loss is a loss always. Even if an elephant becomes lean/thin, we can not keep it on a cow shed. So we never expect such loss from Man United. Take a lead, then replace players than concede and bring the best players. Unfortunately, Rooney is not capable to do that.

    From stevcarol, on Thu 8 Jan 9:41AM

  6. Uh, City fan ([Billy Quote, James Quote])...... City are OUT of the FA Cup, whereas United merely have to beat Derby County by more than one goal (and really, only one goal, as that would lead to penalties) AT OLD TRAFFORD, in order to reach the Carling Cup Final. Meanwhile, United are also STILL in the FA Cup, UNLIKE City, as I mentioned.

    Also, United have already won this season: The Community Shield, The Club World Championship, and in 2008 they won: Their 2nd consecutive Premier League crown, the Champions League, the Community Shield, and a slew of individual accolades (as with this year, as well).

    So, hmmmm, United's bubble is bursting, huh? Considering they're still very much in for 5 trophies (6, if we count the Community Shield), I would say NOT. City, on the other hand, are OUT of the Carling Cup, OUT of the FA Cup, NOWHERE NEAR the Champions League, or even the UEFA Cup, and currently sitting IN THE RELEGATION ZONE, with an under fire manager (unlike at United, also), disgruntled players (somewhat like United, but apparently the situation at Eastlands is more intense, and on a larger scale), and a still unclear notion of club direction (however MOMENTARILY well-funded is that directionless movement).

    City til' you die? Fair enough. But don't convince yourself of useless fairytales which bear no relationship to reality, are insulting to those of us who take our football discussion seriously (separate from our love for, and affiliation with, a particular club), and are nothing more than the pathetic, psychologically projective notions of a supporter desperate to inflate the importance of his own club in direct proportion to a simultaneous attempt to degrade the primary (and obviously superior) rival club.

    At any rate, United for the lot; COME ON!!!!!

    From United!!, on Thu 8 Jan 9:37AM

  7. Can`t blame man utd for putting out a lesser team, all the top teams did it, the carling cup is a pain in the arse cup when your one of the top 4, at the end of the day the big big money is the Prem and the CL, good luck to derby, and lets hope LIverpool win the Prem !

    From Bike 69, mabaho ka !, on Thu 8 Jan 9:35AM

  8. Its the carling cup get over it man utd's cup days are numbered get over it man utd got beat by derby??!! haha Yeah all the teams that are in the prem went out because they put out reserve and 2nd teams too. I mean who cares about the carling cup when the premier league is for the taking. COME ON YOU REDS LIVERPOOL FC!!!!!

    From reevesrobe, on Thu 8 Jan 9:13AM

  9. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME GOOD POSTS ON HERE AND SOME KID STUFF, HOWEVER I HAVE TO AGREE WITH PAUL T POST, UNITED TOOK THIS GAME FOR GRANTED ? 4 UNITED PLAYERS PLAYED WITHOUT ANY THOUGHT TO THE CLUB THEY WERE PLAYING FOR ! IN-ALL ONE OF THE WORST GAMES I CAN REMEMBER UNITED PLAYED, N0- ONE FROM THE UNITED SIDE TRYED TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE GAME, AND THEY PAID FOR IT, HOWEVER I HAVE PLAYED SPORT AT A HIGH LEVEL AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO A BIG CLUB, ONLY GOOD WILL COME OUT OF IT ! THE MANAGER AND HIS STAFF WILL NOT WANT TO SEE A REPEAT OF THAT SHOCKING PERFORMANCE AND I AM SURE THE PLAYERS WHO STARTED THE GAME ARE FEELING IT TODAY ! HAPPY NEW YR SPORT FANS

    From I TYSON, on Thu 8 Jan 9:08AM

  10. Haha GUTTED Man Poo!!

    From doubt.it.man, on Thu 8 Jan 8:55AM

  11. mcpluker (comment560) you need to leave the drugs alone pal

    From geezadood, on Thu 8 Jan 8:51AM

  12. love that people are saying United arwen't going to win anything this season cos they've lost this game.........Where are Liverpool, Arsenal (with those oh so wonderful youngsters), Chelsea, Villa, Everton and the rest........that's right they are already out!

    From james b, on Thu 8 Jan 8:50AM

  13. Ooops, tilt, little Derby upset the Salford Pinks. There there boys, dry you eyes, its only the Carling cup.

    From sue h, on Thu 8 Jan 8:48AM

  14. HA HA, I LOVE IT WHEN MAN U GET BEAT, BUT BY DERBY IN THE CUP. MAN U ARENT GOING TO WIN ANYTHING THIS SEASON.

    From Ben Jovi, on Thu 8 Jan 8:37AM

  15. lisachichee are you on the same planet as the rest of us??????

    From geezadood, on Thu 8 Jan 8:35AM

  16. hey manu was more interested in the sunday game , well done derby for your win , but the home tie will be different , chelsea is the game manu was thinking of as its more important to win , for the prem, title , i am concerened with lack of goals , but if anything this defeat will do them good , and maybe fire them up , which normally does happen ronaldo has been poor and i dont think he wants to play ,,, ie defoe at pompey , teves is a good player but his agents our just doing him no favours , so lets see how the weekend goes ,i still believe manu will win the title with a good points difference ,

    From Chris, on Thu 8 Jan 8:22AM

  17. I am United fan from MANCHESTER! i cant stand red's who con themselfs! Derby WERE better than us last night fullstop! Some of our young players have much to learn lets be honest.....................

    From Sean, on Thu 8 Jan 8:21AM

  18. As a neutral to this match, I was obviously delighted to see Derby win. And I see no reason they cant pull it off in the second leg if they play with the same passion as last night. With teams like Portsmouth, West Ham and Cardiff all reaching finals in recent years, why not Derby? No-one can deny that Fergusson is a great manager, or that United have been a great team, but they seem to lack the magic this year so far. Individual players and egos seem to be taking over from the team ethic, to their loss in the same way that it did with England's national team. There was a time not too long ago that someone like Ronaldo would have been shown the door instead of pandered to with all the speculation and unrest he's caused. And also a time for those of us with a memory that United were desperate to win any trophy, even the Carling cup. They should build the team around the team players, rather than journeyman showoffs who think that the other 10 players are there just to give them the ball. And playing an understrengh side? Come on, just how many of the big teams have payed the price for that arrogance? There are no guarantees in football, least of all the "we'll win at home".

    From paul t, on Thu 8 Jan 8:13AM

  19. Listen to all you people hating against united. Carling cup?... Used to be the Worthington cup a.k.a the "worthless cup" United have better things to focus their time and energy into. Have your fun Derby, if you get through and win it'll be the only thing you win all year.
    and btw, Rooney, Ronaldo and Carrick not subbed on 'till 63rd minute to replace Wellbeck and others, sounds like United put out some reserves.

    Derby fans... see you at Old trafford.
    Take me home, united road, to the place, where i belong, to old trafford, to see united, take me home, united road!

    From Max, on Thu 8 Jan 8:05AM

  20. 2nd leg united will play their first choice squad and turn it around,sorry derby,love to see it but it ain't gonna happen

    From Anthony H, on Thu 8 Jan 7:52AM
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