Derby County 1 Carlisle Utd 1 (AET, Derby win 14-13 on penalties): Any thoughts of “concentrating on the league” are repeatedly thwarted by Carlisle United’s refusal to know when they are beaten in the cups. If League Two is the main priority this season, that message again failed to reach Keith Curle’s players, who took Derby all the way last night before losing an absurdly long penalty shoot-out.
After last season’s melodramas, including Anfield in this competition, here was another epic: 94 mad minutes, 30 gripping more, and an exhausting shoot-out of 32 kicks, ending finally when Timi Max Elsnik shot past Mark Gillespie.
It was just short of 10.40pm when it finally ended, and Derby somehow staggered through. Carlisle’s shattered players looked like they needed extra help to get them off the pitch as the stadium was at last emptied.
But how superbly they applied themselves to the very end; how cruelly it concluded. The shoot-out itself was worthy of its own match report, as the teams traded deadly goals and saves in unison until, finally, Joe McKee was thwarted by Scott Carson and Elsnik stepped up.
That all came after an enthralling tie, which saw the Blues denied a strong penalty shout in the first half before Darren Bent put the sluggish hosts in front. Mike Jones then struck his first United goal with almost the final kick, as Curle’s side gave their vocal supporters yet another late night.
It was like Liverpool all over again for those exhausted travellers, as this tie went deep into the warm evening - another tale to tell, another night that will have tested the intestinal fortitude of others tuning in back home.
It began as an intriguing contest to which Carlisle contributed amply. Curle sent out an extra defender, Mark Ellis’s return helping them enhance their barrier against a Derby side featuring eight changes but still some dangerous talent.
Bent, once of England, for instance. Bradley Johnson, all £6 million of him. At the back, meanwhile: Richard Keogh, such a popular ex-Blues player, with Cleator Moor’s Carson between the posts.
Curle’s selection, meanwhile, was not of a manager treating the EFL Cup as an unwanted distraction. In remained most of United’s big guns, and although there was no Lambe (Reggie) against the Rams, the Blues’ recent reputation as a dangerous cup side was not going to be surrendered without a decent go at things.
And that is what Derby got, certainly once the first 10 minutes had passed with a couple of half-chances but nothing to disturb Gillespie’s net. There were signs that the Championship team would try to catch Carlisle’s defence square - but things didn’t go that way, with the Blues battling hungrily across the pitch, and in the 10th minute embarking on a period of keep-ball that looked like it might never end.
Eventually it did, after 60 or so passes, but that wave of possession settled United, and saw them win and use more of the ball as Derby fell into a frustrating spell.
Pearson’s dangermen needed their aim realigning as Nick Blackman and Jacob Butterfield fired into Bent’s body. Carlisle then built some patient, useful attacks, the best of which saw Shaun Miller hunt down Jamie Devitt’s diagonal ball, before Nicky Adams’ cross was met by Danny Grainger’s header.
Keogh’s elbow intervened, but ref Darren England, controversially, felt this only worthy of a corner. Ellis headed Grainger’s next delivery down Carson’s throat after the travelling fans had roared their protests.
Derby’s response produced an amount of probing, a set-piece or two, but nothing that resembled a siege. Gillespie parried a Blackman shot and Johnson miscued one wide as Pearson’s men tried to impose themselves afresh.
But United’s passing, and their calm refusal to rush their work, remained heartening. Curle’s tactics often enabled the Blues to outnumber Derby in midfield before their attacking midfielders drove them on. From one such press, Shaun Miller found himself up against Pearson’s defenders, but his pass found Adams offside.
Precision here was all that was holding Carlisle back - but there was a good deal to admire in their industry. Jones and Devitt then combined for a counter-attack that saw the latter run into huge space before shooting wide.
Half-time arrived after a couple of wasteful crosses from the hosts’ Chris Baird, met by boos and a few catcalls from supporters in front of the media seats. After the break, Abdoul Camara took it upon himself to seek the impetus Derby had so far lacked, the Guinean winger beating Grainger and shooting over before having a volley saved.
This encouraged the Derby support, but United’s threat remained, as Devitt arrived to send Grainger’s cross narrowly over after a purposeful move. Curle then replaced Adams, handing McKee his debut, and whatever his reasons there was no denying that Carlisle’s most dangerous player was now out of the fray.
It would be unfair to say this led directly to Derby’s goal, but the timing was cruel, as Blackman let fly, Gillespie superbly touched it against the post, and Bent arrived to bury the rebound.
This was a reprieve for the home side’s earlier work, and led them in search of more. Joyce thumped an effort into a Derby body when Carlisle re-emerged, before Pearson tried to consolidate the hosts’ position by introducing Will Hughes and Tom Ince from the bench.
Curle countered this by sending on Jabo Ibehre and Charlie Wyke, removing a defender (Ellis) and switching to two up front. Derby then tried to kill them off, but Blackman shot wide and Macaulay Gillesphey extended himself three times to deny Ince.
They should have put the Blues away - but Carlisle dug deeper again and, bolstered by Ibehre’s presence, forced enough pressure to give themselves a glimmer. McKee had a shot saved from Ibehre’s knock-down - and then came the finale, as Keogh struggled to clear, and the ball popped up for Jones, the midfielder’s precision shot finding the bottom corner of Carson’s net as Carlisle’s bench celebrated jubilantly.
Pearson, who famously waved Jimmy Glass forward at the outset of his managerial career, should perhaps not have been surprised to see his old club level with such drama. And nor will he have enjoyed the further scares Carlisle gave his side in extra-time, Wyke narrowly failing to convert a Michael Raynes flick, before Tom Miller beat Carson to a Grainger free-kick, requiring Johnson to clear off the line.
United slung more crosses and long throws into Carson’s box as the tension grew. Downfield, Gillespie thwarted Ince, Elsnik battered one wide, Hughes drew anguished cries when firing a further shot too high, and United’s keeper defied Ince once more.
Then, the penalties, too long to list. Amid some superb taking, there were saves by Carson from Charlie Wyke and Jabo Ibehre, matched when Gillespie denied Will Hughes, while Alex Pearce shot over when he could have won it.
Carson himself was among the successful takers as it continued. Sudden-death was more like extended life as it went on and on – until McKee, unfortunately, couldn’t get past Carson, and Elsnik sent United gallantly out.
MARK GILLESPIE - Made a couple of good parries and punches in the first half, and only beaten by Bent after superb save from Blackman. More good stops followed, including penalties.
TOM MILLER - On the right of defence, Miller helped United keep possession and work their way forward. A very hard-working and battling display as he also got up and down his side.
MACAULAY GILLESPHEY - Had to be on his guard when Derby swept forward, and Gillesphey did well to keep some of Pearson’s dangermen at bay, including sub Ince, and tried to use ball effectively.
MICHAEL RAYNES - At the centre of United’s back line, Raynes was always there to intercept and clear lines when the hosts sent crosses in, and added useful aerial presence to attacks.
MARK ELLIS - Recalled as an extra defender, Ellis gave Blues good extra protection when Derby tried to open them up. Later sacrificed as Curle chased game after the hour mark.
DANNY GRAINGER - Captain was able to get forward at times in United’s bright first half, crossing with intent and denied a penalty, almost setting Devitt up after break.
MIKE JONES - As things went on Jones’ value became clear, as the midfielder covered lots of ground to receive the ball and use it tidily. Kept going to protect defence - then struck dramatic leveller.
LUKE JOYCE - A typically industrious effort alongside Jones, as United used the ball well at various stages. Didn’t shy from battle when tackles needed to go in against Pearson’s men.
JAMIE DEVITT - On only his second United start, the creative midfielder was always eager for the ball and showed some deft touches to keep Blues well in the game.
NICKY ADAMS - His speed and bustle enabled Carlisle to counter-attack with purpose in the first half and at the start of the second, and his replacement took away some of United’s edge for a while.
SHAUN MILLER - Back in the side, Miller’s task was to lead United’s line against Championship defence, and his movement up front gave Blues a good platform before Curle sent on Wyke.
Subs: Joe McKee (for Adams 55) - Contributed to late drama; Jabo Ibehre (for Ellis 65) - Effective physical presence; Charlie Wyke (for S Miller 65) - Bolstered front line. Not used: Max Crocombe, David Atkinson, Russell Penn, Reggie Lambe.
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