Carling Cup 08/09: Derby down United
On a night when Nigel Clough watched his new side from the stands Derby County put in a performance his father would have been proud of, as Manchester United came away from Pride Park with theirs deflated as Kris Commons’ goal settled an entertaining Carling Cup semi-final first leg.
Clough’s appointment has raised beleaguered spirits off the field and on it his Derby players responded magnificently to their first major semi-final since 1976.
Commons’ first half scorcher from 25-yards was richly deserved and, somewhat perversely, given the chances created over the 90 minutes it will perhaps be Derby that are most disappointed with the result.
While Roy Carroll was rarely tested on a bitterly cold Midlands night, his opposite number Tomasz Kuszczak was far busier than he would have anticipated – with Rob Hulse in particular guilty of squandering a gilt-edged chance after the break.
There was a brief interlude, during which Paul Scholes screwed a couple of long-range efforts wide before John O’Shea, racing onto Nani’s return pass, flicked an intelligent shot which would have had former team-mate Carroll in trouble if Paul Green had not been on hand to turn it away.
But largely it was Derby dictating the game, Derby who looked more assured. United making all the unforced errors.
So it was no surprise and certainly well deserved when Commons struck. United did not heed the earlier warning about giving opponents too much room and failed to close the Scotland international down as he collected Sterjovski’s short pass.
With the visitors having invited the shot, Commons obliged by drilling a low effort into the right corner that gave Kuszczak no chance.
Little was seen of Carlos Tevez, whose Old Trafford future has been a major subject of interest over the past few days.
Powered by FireStats
it’s seem chelsky had a good luck..
this result seem can make the red devils down in mentally..
but scolari must make the best choice..
coz O.T had a very very best story for Man U..
last 3 game of chelsky..
i saw that chelsky didn’t had good luck and when attacking.. they didn’t cover for defending enemy counter attack..
and Man U had that skill to make some trouble to destroy chelsky hope..
wish all the best chelsky..
tq Q ..
Chelsea all the way…this season I believe..when the odds against u … u will triumph…
So… I go for 2-0 Chelsea win!
man u 1-0 i guess