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Ruben Loftus-Cheek played for the third consecutive game in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over victory Derby County in the Carabao Cup fourth round tie.

Loftus-Cheek started the game and had a good game before being replaced by Pedro in the second-half.

Chelsea were the favourites for this clash and many expected that the Blues will have a comfortable victory against Frank Lampard’s side.

Surprisingly, the Rams showed why they sent Manchester United packing as their tenacity and doggedness was evident at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking after the game, Loftus-Cheek admitted that the match was a very difficult one and also praised Chelsea duo Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount who are on loan to Derby.

“I thought they did really well,” Loftus-Cheek said after the game. “Mason was unlucky with a few shots and Fik was unlucky with the own goal, but overall I thought they did really well and they can be proud of themselves.

“Derby pressed quite well. It was difficult for us to play out. Credit to them, they were physical, but we just said at half-time we need to step it up because they were playing well, and we needed to be more aggressive and be braver to play out from the back. They gave us a really tough game.”