3/1 To Win
Derby County’s Under-23s produced a scintillating attacking display to demolish Birmingham City 7-2 in the Premier League Cup, with striker Lewis Walker finding the net four times.
Darren Wassall’s side fell behind twice in the first half but they recovered to take the lead on the stroke of the break, before dominating in the second period to add substantial gloss to the scoreline.
Derby enjoyed most of the ball early on but the visitors looked far more dangerous going forward and they took the lead after just five minutes when Remeao Hutton finished from close range after picking up a deflected through ball.
A moment of brilliance from Luke Thomas drew the home side level with nearly a quarter of an hour gone, as his precise ball into Walker set the No.9 through one-on-one, and he finished brilliantly with his shot flying in off the post.
Ikechi Anya was played through on goal shortly after but he couldn’t take the chance before Birmingham retook the lead, with Kyle McFarlane converting from the spot after being brought down.
Once again, Derby showed their character and equalised almost instantly, as good work from Thomas won a corner, with Sven Karic’s effort on goal turned home by Alex Cover at the back post.
Incredibly, the Rams then had the opportunity the snatch the lead on the stroke of half-time, when Anya was brought down by Birmingham ‘keeper Adam Siviter inside the area.
Walker stepped up, and although Siviter got a hand to the penalty, it wasn’t strong enough to keep the scores level.
The Derby striker was in clinical mood and he completed his hat-trick just five minutes after the break, finishing calmly after being played through unselfishly by the excellent Thomas.
It was five soon after, as Anya was played through by Alex Babos before finishing high into the net as the home side started to run riot, with the Scot grabbing his brace with just over 20 minutes to play to make it 6-2.
Cameron Cresswell came on and played a crucial role in the seventh, as he played in Walker before he exchanged passes with Anya, who squared to set up the striker for his fourth goal of the night.
Derby County: Barnes; Bogle, Wassall, Cover, Karic (Taylor, 74’); Stabana, Elsnik (Bateman, 61’); Thomas (Cresswell, 74’), Babos, Anya; Walker.
Substitutes not used: Ravas, Knight,
Birmingham City: Siviter; Harding, Martin, Maxwell, Seddon; O’Keeffe, Lakin, Bailey (McCoy, 74’); Hutton (Bernard, 64’), Lubala (Clarke, 64’), McFarlane.
Substitutes not used: Jeacock, Anderson.
Major Moment…
Considering that Derby were either behind or level for all of the opening 44 minutes, it was a huge boost to go into the break in front.
Anya used his pace to burst in behind and Siviter was naïve to commit to the challenge, and he was punished as Walker grabbed his second from the spot.
Who Impressed…
There were so many standout performances that it would be unfair to name just one here…
Ethan Wassall defended superbly and Karic got forward well from left-back, whilst the returning Timi Elsnik displayed his quality in midfield.
In the attacking positions, Thomas recorded two assists, and Walker’s faultless finishing stole the show.
What’s Next…
The Rams head to Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park to take on Liverpool in Premier League 2 – Division One on Sunday, before Manchester United come to St George’s Park in the same competition a week later.
