Derby County Football Club, founded in 1884, is one of the oldest and most respected clubs in England. Playing mostly in the Championship and occasionally in the Premier League, Derby has repeatedly been involved in sensational matches.
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The 2007 sensation: Defeating Manchester United in the League Cup
One of the most memorable matches that brought big winnings was Derby County's meeting with Manchester United in the League Cup semi-final on 7 January 2009. At the time, Derby was in the Championship, fighting for survival, while Manchester United, under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson, dominated the Premier League. The odds on Derby's victory in the first match at Pride Park Stadium were as high as 10.0 or higher, making them clear underdogs.
The match began with Derby's aggressive approach. In the 30th minute, Chris Commons, the team's midfielder, scored a precise long-range strike, sending the ball into the corner of Ben Foster's goal. Manchester United tried to recover, but Derby's defense, led by captain Paul Connolly, remained confident. Despite the pressure of a star-studded lineup with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, the underdog held on to a narrow 1-0 victory until the final whistle. This victory came as a shock to the football world, and fans who had placed bets on the Derby received winnings that multiplied their bets by dozens.
An unexpected triumph in 2019: the playoff against Leeds United
Another legendary page in Derby County's history was written on 15 May 2019 in the Championship play-off against Leeds United at Elland Road. Under Frank Lampard, Derby finished the regular season in sixth place, while Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds were seen as favourites to be promoted to the Premier League. The first playoff match ended with a 1-0 victory for Leeds, and the odds on Derby's passage to the playoff final were as high as 8.0.
In the return game, the team showed its character. In the 24th minute, Jack Marriott, who came on as a substitute, equalized the score after a mistake by Leeds goalkeeper Kiko Casilla. Mason Mount and Harry Wilson then added goals, and in the 58th minute, Marriott scored a double, giving Derby a 4-2 aggregate victory. Despite their opponents' desperate attempts to equalize and the dismissal of Scott Malone, Lampard's team held on for a 4-3 aggregate victory. This match went down in history as the Miracle on Elland Road. Fans who bet on the final have hit the jackpot: for example, one fan reportedly bet £100 at odds of 7.8, which earned him £780.
The historic defeat of Stoke City in 2023
The friendly match between Derby County and Stoke City on July 22, 2023, was also a lucky event for many fans. Although it was a pre-season game, the odds were high for a big win due to the equal level of teams in the Championship. Under the leadership of Paul Warn, Derby unexpectedly defeated Stoke 3-0 at Pride Park Stadium.
The game began with a quick goal from James Collins in the 12th minute, following a precise cross from the flank. In the second half, Nathaniel Mendes-Laing doubled the lead, hitting the goalkeeper with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area. The match was sealed by Louis Sibley, who scored a one-on-one goal in the 78th minute. The odds for Derby's victory with a (-2) handicap reached 12.0, and those who risked betting on this outcome received significant payouts.