The fixture got off to a quick start, knowing both teams needed a positive result to continue their respective Premier League Cup journies into the knockout stages.

It was a chilly evening at our home ground, but we came out with aggression, showing we meant business. Donnell McNeilly opened the scoring with a powerful, low strike into the bottom corner after Ato Ampah closed down a Derby defender's clearance, which fortuitously set up the striker.

That wasn’t enough for the Blues. Just before the interval, Ampah added his name to the scoresheet with a weaving solo run and a stunning finish, putting Chelsea 2-0 up at half-time.

Although Derby managed to pull one back in the second half through Adisa Osayande, who made the most of a floated corner, we remained resilient, holding on to our one-goal advantage and booking our spot in the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup.

Early impact

Zak Sturge was lively on the left wing, surging forward into space with the support of Kiano Dyer beside him. Their link-up play made it clear to our opponents that we were intent on pinning them back and applying early pressure.

Chelsea created the first real chance on goal at the 10-minute mark, through a well-executed set-piece. Ampah delivered a quick, swinging corner and defender Harrison Murray-Campbell rose highest to meet it, thumping a powerful header toward goal. However, the Rams keeper reacted well, catching the effort.

That was Derby’s final warning before the Blues broke the deadlock, when McNeilly capitalised on a mishap at the back. Goalkeeper Harry Evans played a short goal-kick to Riley Moloney, but Ampah was quick to close him down, applying pressure and blocking the clearance. The ball rebounded perfectly into open space, where McNeilly pounced, sweeping a low volley into the bottom corner to put Chelsea ahead.

The Rams tried to fight back. Johnson Osong caused trouble out wide with his speed and tricky footwork. He weaved his way into the area, cutting inside to maneuver past Brodi Hughes before unleashing a venomous strike. However, it wasn’t enough to beat our shot-stopper Ted Curd, who dived down and made what looked like a comfortable save.

Soon after Derby’s attempt, the game entered a cagey spell, with both sides struggling to create real danger in front of goal. It wasn’t until the half-hour mark that Chelsea tested Evans in goal once more.

Following a rehearsed free-kick, Ishe Samuels-Smith played the ball short to Dyer, who threaded a clever through-ball for the defender to run onto. Samuels-Smith did well to drive into the penalty area and fire a low shot at goal, although Alex Stepien-Lwumen got a touch and the ball fell towards the keeper, who reacted well to save. But it felt like only a matter of time before we extended our lead.

Perfect precision

Ampah was the next to add his name to the scoresheet - and he did it in style. After a well-worked build-up, the Blues winger produced a stunning solo goal. He escaped his markers with ease, sprinting upfield and weaving effortlessly between defenders. As he entered the area, he looked up and unleashed a powerful strike into the bottom corner, leaving Evans with no chance as he extended our lead.

Chelsea continued to push Derby back into their own half for the remainder of the first period, staying in control and composed. At the interval, the Blues held a deserved 2-0 advantage.

We came out after the restart with the same attacking aggression we had before the break. Dyer curled in a free-kick from outside the area toward Hughes, who used his strength to hold off his marker before trying his luck from a tight angle. Unfortunately, his effort smashed against the side netting, but it was a positive start.

Not long after, Curd was called into action, producing an excellent fingertip save to push a powerful effort over the bar. Justin Oguntolu sparked a quick build-up on the wing, driving forward before delivering a cross to Stepien-Lwumen. The Derby midfielder controlled the ball just outside the penalty box and struck a clean shot at goal, but our keeper remained composed, ensuring his clean sheet remained intact for now.

After Dyer was brought down by a Derby defender, who struggled to cope with his tricky footwork as he drove upfield, Ampah nearly secured his brace. He had a great opportunity to find the back of the net from the resulting free-kick, but his whipped effort narrowly cleared the crossbar, denying Chelsea a third goal.

It felt like end-to-end action now, as the play quickly shifted to the other end of the pitch. Osong remained lively and nearly found the back of the net with a clever run and a powerful strike from a tight angle, but Curd reacted well again to make the save with his feet.

Rams chasing

Derby eventually pulled one back through a set-piece of their own. Moloney floated in a corner that dropped inside the area, where Osayande latched onto it from close range. His volley bounced over the unfortunate Blues keeper and into the net, getting the visitors on the scoresheet.

We reacted as best we could, continuing to cause problems for our Friday-evening opponents. Goal scorer McNeilly remained a threat inside the penalty box, particularly with one powerful strike from close range, but Evans reacted well to palm the effort away.

Filipe Coelho then turned to his bench, bringing on schoolboys Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli and Reggie Watson to make their Under-21s debuts in front of our home supporters.

For the remainder of the fixture, we continued to press forward, searching for another goal to seal the win, but Derby stood firm with a united and packed backline. However, the Blues maintained control and held on to our advantage, ensuring the game finished 2-1, keeping our journey in the Premier League Cup alive.

What it means

With this victory, the Blues have secured a spot in the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup, finishing top of Group I and advancing as one of the final 16 clubs. The draw for our next fixture will be announced soon.

What is next

Chelsea Under-21s will return to action on Friday 7 February in the Premier League 2 against Leeds United at Kingsmeadow. Kick-off is at 7pm and supporters worldwide can catch the action via our livestream on the official Chelsea app and website.

Alternatively, tickets are available for purchase at our reduced prices. Season ticket holders, members and juniors (under-20) can secure a free ticket, while tickets for adults and seniors are on general sale priced at £4.

The teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Ted Curd; Brodi Hughes, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Kaiden Wilson, Ishe Samuels-Smith (c); Samuel Rak-Sakyi (Reggie Watson 83), Harrison McMahon; Ato Ampah (Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli 79), Kiano Dyer, Zak Sturge; Donnell McNeilly
Unused subs: Eddie Beach, Landon Emenalo, Ollie Harrison
Scorers: McNeilly 11, Ampah 33
Booked: Wilson 43, Murray-Campbell 49, Hughes 82

Derby County (4-3-3): Harry Evans, Rio Canoville (Isaac Gordon h-t), Riley Moloney, Darren Robinson (c), Adisa Osayande, Keilen Robinson, Jack Perry, Alex Stepien-Lwumen, Justin Oguntolu (Charles Ebuka 61), Jerome Richards (Billy Gough h-t), Johnson Osong
Unused subs: Josh Shattell, Marsel Tola
Scorer: Osayande 64
Booked: Keilen Robinson 46