Goals from Cameron Jerome and Robert Huth ensured last season's FA Cup finalists Stoke City safely negotiated their way into the fifth round.

Striker Jerome's close-range effort in the fifth minute gave the visitors the lead after a nervy start from Derby.

The Championship side did enjoy periods of possession but struggled to test Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

And in the 81st minute, Huth volley through a posse of players to deceive Begovic's counterpart Frank Fielding.

Derby had won their previous five home league and cup matches, but that form deserted them against a side eighth in the top-flight and preparing to play Valencia next month in the Europa League.

Nigel Clough's side went behind when they were undone by a short corner involving Matthew Etherington and Glenn Whelan.

Whelan delivered a low ball into the heart of the area, which was touched on by Marc Wilson before hitting Huth.

The German defender appeared poised to smash the ball into the net, but instead it was Jerome who prodded home for his third goal in as many appearances, and his fourth in the last five.

Derby managed to create just one chance in the first half when a Dean Whitehead header fell into the path of Jeff Hendrick, who cracked an 18-yard half-volley narrowly wide.

The introduction of substitutes Jermaine Pennant and Kenwyne Jones midway through the second half provided Stoke with greater impetus.

DERBY & THE FA CUP

The Rams have now been beaten by the last six Premier League teams they have met in the FA Cup

From a 35-yard free-kick in the 73rd minute, Pennant brought a stunning save from Derby keeper Fielding and soon after his inswinging corner met the head of Jonathan Walters, but the Irishman's angled effort just cleared the crossbar.

And it was another Pennant corner in the 80th minute that produced Stoke's second goal, Huth's volley from 10 yards squirming underneath Fielding.

Derby manager Nigel Clough:

"Stoke are a very difficult side to create chances against.

"When they went up to Anfield a couple of weeks ago they shut up shop and Liverpool struggled to create chances against them, and we did that at times today.

"But the biggest thing we're aggrieved about is their first goal after five minutes with a player [Jerome] in an offside position."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis:

"It was always going to be a tough game as Derby have been on a great run of late.

"We started well, scored the goal, but then I thought we were sloppy after that. In the last 20 minutes of the first half Derby played really well and caused us problems.

"At half-time we dusted a few down and they went out a little more focused in the second half."

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (6)

Derby County

  • 01 Fielding
  • 02 Brayford
  • 03 Roberts
  • 05 Barker
  • 06 Shackell (Naylor - 89' )
  • 04 Bryson (Buxton - 86' )
  • 16 Bailey (Tyson - 78' )
  • 23 Hendrick
  • 32 Green
  • 10 Ward
  • 25 Ball

Substitutes

  • 13 Legzdins
  • 17 Buxton
  • 31 Naylor
  • 18 B Davies
  • 09 Tyson
  • 11 Maguire
  • 14 Doyle

Stoke City

  • 01 Begovic
  • 04 Huth Booked
  • 17 Shawcross Booked
  • 28 Wilkinson Booked
  • 06 Whelan
  • 12 Wilson
  • 18 Whitehead Booked
  • 26 Etherington (Pennant - 63' )
  • 19 Walters
  • 25 Crouch (Jones - 66' )
  • 33 Jerome (Fuller - 77' )

Substitutes

  • 27 Nash
  • 30 Shotton
  • 39 Woodgate
  • 16 Pennant
  • 24 Delap
  • 09 Jones
  • 10 Fuller
Ref: Clattenburg
Att: 22,247

Match Stats

Shots

2 8

On target

1 4

Corners

3 7

Fouls

13 17

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +2:56

The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

89:57

Corner taken by Jermaine Pennant from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Nathan Tyson.

89:47

The ball is swung over by Jermaine Pennant, clearance by Shaun Barker.

88:26 Substitution

Substitution Tom Naylor replaces Jason Shackell.

85:26 Substitution

Substitution Craig Bryson leaves the field to be replaced by Jake Buxton.

83:52

Gareth Roberts concedes a free kick for a foul on Ricardo Fuller. Jermaine Pennant crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance made by Gareth Roberts.

80:39

Assist by Jermaine Pennant.

80:39 Goal scored

Goal - Robert Huth - Derby 0 - 2 Stoke Goal scored by Robert Huth from inside the penalty box low into the middle of the goal. Derby 0-2 Stoke.

80:16

Outswinging corner taken by Jermaine Pennant,

80:10

A cross is delivered by Andy Wilkinson, blocked by Craig Bryson.

77:04 Substitution

Substitution Nathan Tyson joins the action as a substitute, replacing James Bailey.

76:45 Substitution

Substitution Cameron Jerome goes off and Ricardo Fuller comes on.

76:16

The ball is sent over by Marc Wilson, clearance made by John Brayford.

75:01

Corner taken right-footed by Jermaine Pennant, Jason Shackell manages to make a clearance.

74:45

Cameron Jerome takes a shot. Blocked by Shaun Barker.

73:14

Corner taken by Jermaine Pennant played to the near post, Jonathan Walters has a headed effort from close range and clears the bar.

73:06

Marc Wilson produces a cross, clearance made by Jeff Hendrick.

71:14

Kenwyne Jones fouled by Shaun Barker, the ref awards a free kick. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Jermaine Pennant, save made by Frank Fielding. The ball is sent over by Cameron Jerome, clearance by Shaun Barker.

68:18

Foul by John Brayford on Jonathan Walters, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Marc Wilson.

67:13

Direct free kick taken by Jason Shackell.

67:13 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Andy Wilkinson for unsporting behaviour.

67:06

Free kick awarded for a foul by Andy Wilkinson on Jamie Ward.

65:19

Free kick taken by Asmir Begovic.

65:19 Substitution

Substitution Kenwyne Jones on for Peter Crouch.

65:19

Unfair challenge on Dean Whitehead by Craig Bryson results in a free kick.

64:52

Inswinging corner taken by Jamie Ward from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Peter Crouch.

63:37

Foul by Andy Wilkinson on Gareth Roberts, free kick awarded. Jason Shackell takes the free kick.

62:43

The ball is delivered by John Brayford, Ryan Shawcross makes a clearance.

62:11 Substitution

Substitution Jermaine Pennant is brought on as a substitute for Matthew Etherington.

61:22

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Glenn Whelan played to the near post, Header from close in by Jonathan Walters misses to the left of the target.

61:11

Matthew Etherington produces a cross, save made by Frank Fielding.

56:52

Corner taken by Paul Green from the left by-line, Asmir Begovic makes a save.

56:15

The free kick is swung in right-footed by Paul Green, Asmir Begovic makes a save.

56:15 Booking

Booking Robert Huth is shown a yellow card.

56:06

Unfair challenge on John Brayford by Robert Huth results in a free kick.

52:10

A cross is delivered by John Brayford, Robert Huth makes a clearance.

51:35

Peter Crouch concedes a free kick for a foul on Jason Shackell. Jason Shackell restarts play with the free kick.

48:49

The ball is crossed by Matthew Etherington.

48:36

Glenn Whelan crosses the ball, clearance by Shaun Barker.

47:40

Centre by Jonathan Walters, clearance by Shaun Barker.

47:30

The ball is swung over by Ryan Shawcross, clearance by Jason Shackell.

45:01

The second half kicks off.

45:00 +1:42

The ref blows to end the first period.

45:00 +1:23

Jamie Ward sends in a cross, save by Asmir Begovic.

45:00 +1:00

Free kick awarded for a foul by Andy Wilkinson on Craig Bryson. Free kick taken by Jeff Hendrick.

45:00 +0:01

Jamie Ward delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, clearance made by Peter Crouch.

45:00 +0:01 Booking

Booking Dean Whitehead is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.

44:46

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jamie Ward by Dean Whitehead.

44:10

Corner taken by Jamie Ward from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Peter Crouch.

44:06

Jamie Ward sends in a cross, clearance by Andy Wilkinson.

41:35

The assistant referee flags for offside against Paul Green. Asmir Begovic takes the indirect free kick.

40:56

Peter Crouch sends in a cross, clearance made by Gareth Roberts.

38:36

Craig Bryson concedes a free kick for a foul on Glenn Whelan. Asmir Begovic restarts play with the free kick.

38:15

Cameron Jerome delivers the ball, James Bailey manages to make a clearance.

37:20

Andy Wilkinson fouled by Jeff Hendrick, the ref awards a free kick. Asmir Begovic takes the free kick.

36:34

Dean Whitehead concedes a free kick for a foul on Jamie Ward. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Ward.

35:35

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Shaun Barker by Cameron Jerome. Frank Fielding restarts play with the free kick.

33:51

Jamie Ward sends in a cross, Robert Huth manages to make a clearance.

31:31

John Brayford fouled by Glenn Whelan, the ref awards a free kick. Frank Fielding restarts play with the free kick.

29:05

Corner from the right by-line taken by Matthew Etherington, Robert Huth takes a shot.

28:03

Foul by Gareth Roberts on Peter Crouch, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Glenn Whelan.

26:36

Effort from the edge of the box by Jeff Hendrick goes wide of the right-hand upright.

26:29

Centre by Paul Green, Andy Wilkinson makes a clearance.

26:08

Paul Green takes a shot. Blocked by Andy Wilkinson.

24:04

The ball is crossed by Jeff Hendrick.

23:31

Craig Bryson fouled by Dean Whitehead, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Jamie Ward.

21:34

Direct free kick taken by Jamie Ward.

21:34 Booking

Booking Ryan Shawcross is cautioned.

21:26

Foul by Ryan Shawcross on Craig Bryson, free kick awarded.

19:37

Craig Bryson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andy Wilkinson. The ball is swung over by Glenn Whelan, Cameron Jerome produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.

17:31

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jamie Ward by Jonathan Walters. Free kick taken by Frank Fielding.

16:06

John Brayford sends in a cross, Dean Whitehead makes a clearance.

15:18

Callum Ball fouled by Ryan Shawcross, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie Ward takes the free kick.

13:58

Callum Ball handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Free kick taken by Asmir Begovic.

13:52

The ball is sent over by Gareth Roberts.

13:09

Free kick awarded for a foul by Dean Whitehead on Jeff Hendrick. Frank Fielding restarts play with the free kick.

12:23

Callum Ball concedes a free kick for a foul on Ryan Shawcross. Asmir Begovic restarts play with the free kick.

11:19

Unfair challenge on Cameron Jerome by Shaun Barker results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Matthew Etherington from left wing, Cameron Jerome challenges John Brayford unfairly and gives away a free kick. Frank Fielding restarts play with the free kick.

10:24

Unfair challenge on Jonathan Walters by Jason Shackell results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Glenn Whelan.

4:48

Assist by Peter Crouch.

4:46

A cross is delivered by Glenn Whelan,

8:52

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jeff Hendrick on Dean Whitehead. Free kick taken by Asmir Begovic.

6:59

The offside flag is raised against Callum Ball. Free kick taken by Asmir Begovic.

6:36

Craig Bryson fouled by Dean Whitehead, the ref awards a free kick. Jason Shackell takes the free kick.

5:53

Unfair challenge on Gareth Roberts by Cameron Jerome results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Jason Shackell.

4:48

Assist on the goal came from Glenn Whelan.

4:48 Goal scored

Goal - Cameron Jerome - Derby 0 - 1 Stoke Goal scored by Cameron Jerome from inside the six-yard box to the top left corner of the goal. Derby 0-1 Stoke.

4:46

Glenn Whelan crosses the ball,

4:16

Glenn Whelan takes a short corner.

4:08

The ball is crossed by Matthew Etherington, Paul Green makes a clearance.

3:34

Shaun Barker gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Peter Crouch. Direct free kick taken by Glenn Whelan.

0:00

The game kicks-off.

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