Oh, the 'Romance' of the cup

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.

With the opportunities came the confidence Clough needs to instil in his players on a more consistent basis as Derby began to string passes together and United continued to struggle.

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.

A speedy charge out of his area by Carroll prevented Nani getting to a loose ball at the start of the second half. But entrusted with set-piece duties, Nani wasted the lot.

Such was his fitful contribution that it was a surprise the men to give way were Paul Scholes and Danny Welbeck when Ferguson cashed in his hefty insurance policy after 63 minutes and brought on Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Theres all to play for, a cracker of a match in two weeks time at Old Trafford. Dont miss it !