ASTON VILLA vs WEST BROM
A West Midlands derby was never going to be a let down. Glenn Whelan's pass, though, was and his mistake allowed Dwight Gayle to put West Brom 1-0 ahead. Villa started the second half incredicbly well, playing like the side we've seen for the last few months. Their intensity and pressure was justly rewarded with a smashing goal by Conor Hourihane. Minutes later Jack Grealish was taken down in the area resulting in Tammy Abraham turning the game on its head. Villa deserved their lead and were even more delighted when Dwight Gayle, West Brom's top scorer, was sent off late in the game, suspending him from the second leg.
West Brom started the second leg how a home team should - attacking and taking the game to the opposition. Craig Dawson nodded in to equalise on aggregate but fans may argue they should've been ahead earlier as El Ghazi looked to handle in his own area. The game, though, changed when West Brom got another sending off - this time Chris Brunt. Villa had struggled to get a foothold in the game, nervously playing out from the back and almost gifting West Brom chances on many occasions. Sam Johnstone made a string of good saves in the West Brom goal so the game had to be decided by penalties. Albert Adomah will be very happy his teammates stepped up to the plate as his penalty for Aston Villa flew straight over the bar. West Brom lost 4-3 on penalties, with defenders taking their first 3 penalties. What does that say about their attackers?
DERBY COUNTY vs LEEDS UNITED
In a highly anticipated rematch of 'Spy Gate', the game as a contest failed to deliver. Both sides, especially Derby, seemed to be to edgy but one moment of brilliance from Kemar Roofe gave Leeds the lead, slotting coolly past Kelle Roos. Derby could've felt aggrieved had they not gone through as a stonewall penalty for them and a red card for Leeds was not given. Either way, Derby still remained in the game without Leeds impressing too much.
This game was not only the best across the play-offs but one of the best this season. Leeds seemed on their way to Wembley when Stuart Dallas tapped in. As half time approached, Leeds seemed very comfortable. Oh, what's that? Kiko Casilla rushed out of his goal, a defensive cock up ensued and Jack Marriott, with his first touch after replacing the injured Duane Holmes, levelled the game. Derby were back in this. Within a minute of kick off, Mason Mount had scored and within fifteen minutes, Harry Wilson had scored a penalty and Derby were 3-2 ahead on aggregate. God knows what Frank Lampard said at half time but he certainly fired his players up. Leeds, though, did not panic and continued to play the same Bielsa way and were rewarded for their exploits, Stuart Dallas again popping up with a fantastically taken goal. Like West Brom and Aston Villa, the game changed again when a red card was issued to Leeds' Gaetano Berardi. Derby were in the ascendancy and got the winning goal when Richard Keogh intercepted a pass, drove forward, played an expertly timed ball and Marriott chipped over Casilla. Derby were through and everybody could breathe. Phew! Will Leeds ever play in the Premier League again?
It will be Derby vs Villa in the final! Frank Lampard vs John Terry (assistant manager, don't quite know why it's being build like that)! Derby will be without Scott Malone as he was sent-off in the dying embers. That means Ashley Cole is more than likely to start, adding to the Chelsea reunion.
There will be a preview of the final on the 27th May.
Twitter - @FourAddedMins
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