The Rams were brave and took the fight up to Chelsea but the pure class of Chelsea too often looked like, no matter how brave they were, only one team was likely to win when push came to shove.

Derby had some of the better attacking thrusts in the first half and were very disciplined in their defensive set ups but more often than not Chelsea looked like they were playing at half speed and could kick up a gear when need be.

This is not to take anything away from Derby who were brilliant in shutting down one of the worlds best teams, with Eustace and the back four (good name for a band) in particular, worthy of high praise for nipping at the heels of every Blue shirt that came anywhere near goal.

The fact that The Rams went into the break 0 — 0 was a massive effort and gave the crowd of over 32,000 hope that the second half would provide some excitement as the game opened up.

As it turned out the game did open up as players got tired and that was only ever likely to work against the Rams.

The home team continued to fight but looked more and more spent as the quality of Chelsea frustrated as they made pass after pass which only tired them more.

Derby was eventually undone by their greatest enemy from this campaign — the set piece. From a free kick on the side of the box, the ball was whipped in for an unmarked Mikel to race in and head home.

Steve McClaren tried to inject attacking intent into the match bringing on Sammon & Bennett but they had no time to turn the tide as only minutes later Oscar lashed a powerful shot in from the right that beat Lee Grant.

From here the game became so open at times you could have sailed a yacht through the midfield, which was only ever going to benefit Chelsea as they started to line up chance after chance.

Amazingly none went in, including a Torres chance on 78 who after beating the keeper tried to finish with a clever step and shot, only to pass it to a Derby defender with the goal wide open.

In the last 10 minutes Derby started to come back into the game as Chelsea took their foot off the pedal. Martin fired in a great shot on goal which was not gathered easily by Chelsea keeper Schwarzer such was the power on the effort.

Sammon, Hughes and Bennett in particular were giving The Blues something to think about and Mason nearly gave the Rams hope when he dragged a shot just past the post, after doing the hard work to get in on goal.

The fact the Rams managed to maintain the score line at 0 — 2 and also didn’t lie down and die, was a testament to their resolve.

Without Bryson and Russell, two of the team’s hardest working players, the task seemed even harder before the game started but Derby gave it their best shot and as fans that is all we can ask for. Bryson was especially missed as you feel he is the heart and soul of the team, his absence was felt as his creativity and work rate would have added another dimension to the Rams.

RamZone match reporter Ryan Weston was at the FA Cup tie and will present his report tomorrow including all the reaction and stats from Chelsea’s visit to the iPro.

Now the romance of the cup and a Hollywood fixture has passed, it’s time to focus on the League and the importance of bouncing back from a New Years defeat by taking 3 points off the pace-setters of the competition.

COYR!!

Derby County: Grant, Wisdom, Buxton, Keane, Forsyth, Eustace (Bennett 70'), Hughes, Hendrick, Dawkins (Bailey 82'), Ward (Sammon 70'), Martin.

Chelsea: Schwarzer; Azpilicueta, Cahill, D Luiz, Cole; Essien (Hazard 55'), Mikel; Ramires, Oscar (Baker 87'), Willian; Eto'o (Torres 64')

Goals: Mikel 66', Oscar 71'

Photo: Action Images

Derby County Polls