After defeating Carlisle United 14-13 on penalties in the League Cup, Derby County fans took to Twitter to react to Timi Max Elsnik’s winning spot-kick.
Timi Max Elsnik scored the winning spot kick as Derby County beat Carlisle United 14-13 in an epic penalty shootout in the League Cup, after the game finished 1-1
Darren Bent had fired the Rams ahead from six yards after Nick Blackman’s shot had been pushed on to the post, only to see Carlisle level the match in injury time through Mike Jones.
Derby County’s Darren Bent looks dejected after missing an opportunity to score
But it was teenager Elsnik who left the iPro Stadium the hero after hitting the winning penalty in sudden death. Five penalties were missed in the dramatic shootout, that saw Elsnik, one of six Derby and Carlisle players take two penalties.
Speaking to the club’s website, Elsnik said it was a night he would never forget when he said: “It was a very special night for me to get on the pitch for the first team for the first time. With it going to extra time, I got probably got more minutes than I was expecting and I am delighted that we have got through to the next round of the competition.
“Overall, it’s very special night for me. I had my parents and my partner here for the game too from Slovenia.
“It’s a night that I am never going to forget. I am glad I could help the team get through to the next round in front of my parents.”
Derby County manager Nigel Pearson (R) and assistant manager Chris Powell
Nigel Pearson made eight changes to his starting line-up and his side started brightly with Blackman, Abdoul Camara and Bradley Johnson having chances before Bent got the opener. But in the dying seconds of the game, Jones volleyed past Scott Carson to send the game in to extra-time as Keith Curle’s Carlisle will have fancied their chances of upsetting Derby.
With both sides pushing for a winner, Derby went closest with Will Hughes and Tom Ince both creating opportunities to put the tie to bed, but it wasn’t to be.
Aston Villa’s Libor Kozak in action with Derby’s Will Hughes
The mammoth shootout featured 32 penalties and in the end Elsnik’s was the deciding spot-kick, with Derby fans voicing pleasure at his composure, despite some discontent at the performance overall on Twitter
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