3/1 To Win
Derby County's Under-23s returned to winning ways at St George's Park as goals from Darren Bent and Luke Thomas earned a 2-1 comeback win against Middlesbrough in the Premier League Cup.
Darren Wassall selected an experienced eleven and they had to react after going behind to Hayden Coulson's early header.
Bent and Mason Bennett were stepping up their return from injury and the former grabbed the leveller, before the in-form Thomas secured the points in Group A.
Derby were slow out of the blocks and the visitors took advantage inside 12 minutes, with Coulson heading a right-wing cross past Josh Barnes.
Wassall’s side reacted strongly though, and Bennett looked like a player with another week of full training behind him as he beat the Boro right-back before forced a strong save from Aynsley Pears.
Charles Vernam was next up to test the away goalkeeper as Derby took total control of the game, and they got a deserved equalizer with 27 minutes gone.
A good move started with Jayden Bogle on the right-hand side, before Vernam fed the electric Thomas, whose centre was perfect for Bent to sweep home for his first goal since returning from injury.
17-year-old full-back Bogle was impressive throughout and he had a crisp strike from range well saved by Pears.
Barnes was showing his ability with the ball at his feet and he did well to keep the scores level at the break with two strong saves just before half-time.
The Rams came out for the second half in the same dominant mood that they were at the end of the first, and a lovely passing move resulted in the home side taking the lead.
Vernam collected the ball and drove into the box after some neat interplay and when he found Thomas with the cutback, the recent first team debutant made no mistake, with his finish going in off the post.
Bent went close to extending the lead after being played in down the right-hand side, whilst Bennett continued to terrorize the Boro right-back Hegarty, and after he beat him on 74 minutes his chipped shot was tipped over by Pears.
Barnes had to be alert to keep his side in-front during the last 10 minutes, as the hosts sat deeper and played on the counter, attempting to use the pace of Bennett and substitute Alex Babos to make the points safe.
The one goal lead was enough though, and with this result the Rams have leapfrogged Boro to take control of Group A.
Derby County: Barnes; Bogle, Wassall, Shackell, Lowe; Hanson, Guy; Thomas, Vernam (Babos, 73’), Bennett; Bent.
Substitutes not used: Ravas, Bateman, Zanzala, Jakobsen.
Middlesbrough: Pears; Hegarty, Mahmutovic, Brewitt, McGinley; Liddle, Wing; Coulson (Wilson, 88'), Curry (O'Neill, 77'), Malley (Reading, 84'); Miller.
Substitutes not used: James, Hood.
Major Moment…
After a lethargic start, Derby controlled the game from the moment that Boro took an early lead and it was crucial that they made the dominance count.
The Rams did just that and Bent did what he does best from inside the penalty area, lifting a tidy finish over Pears from Thomas’ cutback.
Who Impressed…
Bogle, Bennett and Callum Guy all stood out, but Thomas has been affecting the game every time that he’s stepped onto the pitch for the Under-23s in recent months.
He missed the defeat to Leicester City due to his involvement with the first team, but he was back here and he produced the goods with an assist for Bent’s leveller, because notching the crucial second goal.
What’s Next…
The Under-23s have a big few weeks ahead as we approach Christmas.
Everton visit Pride Park Stadium on Tuesday (5th December) in the Premier League International Cup, before back-to-back Premier League 2 - Division One games.
Chelsea come to St George’s Park the following Monday (11th December), before a trip to Boreham Wood’s Meadow Park on Friday 15th December to take on Arsenal.
