Report: Derby County 0-2 Blackpool

Blackpool booked their place in the second round of the Carabao Cup with a professional victory over Derby County at Pride Park.

A brace from Jake Beesley made it back-to-back wins for the Seasiders to start the new campaign as they showed their mettle both in and out of possession to dispatch Paul Warne's side.

After a steady start from the Seasiders, they found joy down the left-hand side as James Husband's teasing delivery missed the initial marker and found Jake Beesley who dispatched with an air of calmness to give Blackpool a seventh minute lead. Straight from the resulting kick-off, Martyn Waghorn found space and time in behind the Blackpool defence but a strong save down to his left from Rich O'Donnell kept the scores level.

Derby were putting pressure on the Seasiders back line as Conor Hourihane was the latest to get a shot away after finding space inside the area, but his strike was deflected clear, but that pressure relented for the remainder of the half. Blackpool were finding real joy out wide as the ball fell to Dom Thompson on the left wing and his driven ball across the face was forced behind by Sonny Bradley as the Seasiders looked for a touch at the back post.

The Rams were looking for joy from set pieces but the Seasiders looked to counter at pace as a result and after a loose touch from Korey Smith, Jake Beesley intercepted the ball, fed through Sonny Carey and the midfielder played the ball across the face to Owen Dale who saw his effort well saved by Josh Vickers with Blackpool inches from doubling their lead. 

Beesley had to receive treatment following a knock to the knee but soon recovered as he pounced on a loose header from Callum Elder, intended for Josh Vickers, to tap home unchallenged to put the Seasiders two to the good in the 33rd minute. The Seasiders looked lively on the break as they searched for a third with Owen Dale first to the ball in behind Sonny Bradley but the centre half took the attacker down before he could reach the final third, with Dale firing over 20 yards out from the second phase of the resulting set piece.

Blackpool could well have had a third as a two minute spell of Seasiders possession ended with a route one ball in behind for Beesley to search for his hat trick, Sonny Bradley recovered well to halt the initial effort but space opened up for Carey to strike just wide of the target. A rare strike on goal from former Seasider Curtis Nelson was well held by O'Donnell heading into four added minutes in the first half but Blackpool were more than good value for their half time lead.

HT: Derby County 0-2 Blackpool

The Seasiders had to hold off the inevitable early wave from the hosts as they looked to get back into the game, with Martyn Waghorn's curling effort from the edge finishing just wide of the target. That spell continued into the 55th minute as Rich O'Donnell saved well as Conor Washington forced his way in behind the Blackpool defence. 

On the hour mark Neil Critchley opted for a double change as Tom Trybull and Kyle Joseph replaced Sonny Carey and Jake Beesley as Blackpool looked to reassert control after a flourish from the home side. Blackpool continued to defend their box well heading into the final 15 minutes of normal time as James Husband and Owen Dale were brought off as Doug Tharme and Rob Apter took their places.

Tharme was at home straight away in the heart of the defence as he cleared as Derby threatened, with Blackpool marshalling their 18-yard box in an astute manner. As the clock ran into the final ten minutes of normal time, Albie Morgan replaced Matty Virtue in the Seasiders fifth and final change of the night and the Seasiders looked to wrap up proceedings as Tom Trybull broke out with the ball in midfield, placing into the path of Kyle Joseph who saw his strike diverted for a corner.

Blackpool's cool heads out of possession allowed them to see out the remaining five minutes of added time to book their place in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

FT: Derby County 0-2 Blackpool