Derby 1-3 Chelsea and Sheffield United 1-0 Southampton MATCH REPORTS: Favourites and minnows progress in Capital One Cup

The clear favourites and clear minnows are through then as Premier League leaders Chelsea progress to the semi-finals along with League One outfit Sheffield United -with Derby and Southampton sent tumbling out.

Who will join them? We will find out tomorrow as Liverpool travel to Bournemouth and Tottenham host Newcastle.

That's all from me tonight, though. Check all the fallout on the homepage but be sure to visit again for more live quarter-final coverage tomorrow. Cheerio.

It's five straight defeats for Southampton, but it's a second semi-final in under a year for Sheffield United.

Nigel Clough's League One side have pulled off another upset!

As we enter four added minutes, Southampton will have to chase the game with 10 men after Gardos is dismissed for fouling McNulty.

Lloyd Isgrove, Emmanuel Mayuka and Toby Alderweireld are on for Southampton but as we approach injury time it's Sheffield United chasing the next goal as Forster makes another fine save.

And if that didn't, then this has. Fabregas slips in Remy and although his shot is saved, Andre Schurrle is on hand to bundle in the rebound.

Carnage at the iPro Stadium. Jake Buxton is indeed the last man and he clearly pulls back on Remy as he races through on goal, with Grant quickly off his line to fumble the attacker.

The whistle goes but while most of the debate seems to be whether Grant handled the ball outside the box, the referee consults his assistant before sending off Buxton for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity.

It looks harsh. I can't be certain Remy would have beaten Grant to the ball without Buxton pulling him back. Eiether way, it's killed this cup tie.

Derby players sense an equaliser and so do the fans, with the Rams finding new energy to press the Blues and the supporters finding their voices to roar on their side.

Jeff Hendrick replaces Hughes for the Championship outfit.

Hang on, it's game on again! Derby work the ball well around the box, with Russell squaring a short pass for Craig Bryson to rifle across goal, with his low strike bouncing off the post and into the back of the net from the edge of the box.

'Derby assistant Paul Simpson had insisted on customary shorts for the first half despite the chill and rain – in contrast to Jose Mourinho and his puffer jacket. But for the second half Simpson has succumbed and whipped on some tracksuit bottoms.'

And indeed Drogba cannot continue, with Loic Remy coming on for Chelsea. The Blues are going through to the semi-finals it seems, but at what cost?

And good news for fans of cup upsets! United lead at Bramall Lane as Forster fails to properly save Bob Harris's free-kick, with Marc McNulty turning the ball over the line. The home fans go bonkers.

Derby respond with a substitution as Jordon Ibe replaces Simon Dawkins.

But Chelsea are now facing another injury problem after Didier Drogba slips while challenging for the ball.

He immediately signals to the bench and he can barely limp off the field as he receives treatment. Better news for everyone is that Zouma is now walking around the Chelsea dressing room having been carried off injured.

Chelsea are heading for the semi-finals - and in some style too. Filipe Luis picks the perfect moment to score his first goal for the club, and does it in just about the perfect fashion too by bending a stunning 25-yard free-kick into the top corner. Some would say, you don't save those!

Chance for Derby! Russell dodges a slide challenge from John Terry out wide, before scampering down the wing and cutting back for Will Hughes.

The Derby midfielder shoots at goal from inside the box, but the ball is blocked behind for a corner. Good play from the hosts.

Chance for Sheffield United but despite a corner making its way through to Jamie Murphy, the Blades star fires wide.

'The first half count of 19 fouls and no shots on target illustrate it's been quite a dogfight at Bramall Lane.

'The home crowd have warmed to it though and gave their side a rapturous ovation as they came out for the second half.

'Both sides have made a change apiece, Adams for Campbell-Ryce for United, Isgrove for Targett for Saints.'

Derby are rather fortunate to only be a goal behind judging by how easily Chelsea have controlled the game, but neither has Grant been tested too many times in the Rams goal. Steve McClaren will still be hopeful his side can improve in the second period - they need to.

It's much more even at Bramall Lane but goals don't look like turning up any time soon, and we could be in it for the long haul. And of course by long haul I mean penalties.

'Worth pointing out that Zouma was already in good medical hands as stretcher crew was hurried on to field by Mourinho and players. Stretcher crew rightly take instruction from referee and medical staff, rather than players and managers.'

'Jose Mourinho mad at those carrying stretcher for walking onto the pitch with Kurt Zouma stricken. He physically pushed a couple of them along. Echoes of his pop at St John’s Ambulance staff after Petr Cech incident in 2006.'

The four minutes are up but there will be another four added on. We will bring you more news on Zouma as it develops but let's hope he is ok, with the defender having now been taken down the tunnel for more treatment.

We are in four minutes of added time and Zouma has been down for nearly five minutes. There is bleeding from the defender's mouth and he is applauded off the pitch as Ivanovic comes on.

Changes are going to be on the way as Kurt Zouma has been left with a rather nasty head injury following a clash with Cech while trying to defend a corner.

There is no immediate panic among the medics treating him and the players, but a lot of care is going to be taken in taking the defender off the pitch on a stretcher.

Branislav Ivanovic is warming up for the Blues while Mourinho and McClaren share a joke on the touchline.

'You wouldn't have guessed there are two divisions between Sheffield United and Southampton on tonight's showing. In fact, League One Blades are marginally more threatening.'

Diving like that really has to be stopped - but who is around to book the referee?! Jon Moss takes a rather theatrical tumble following a clash with Cesc Fabregas.

Meanwhile Derby may only just be a goal down, but the stats are damning. Chelsea have had seven shots to Derby's none while the Blues have also had 70 per cent of the ball. More needed from Steve McClaren's men.

I'm already thinking about penalties in this game as the Blades' Louis Reed fires over the bar from distance with Forster happy to just track it's path with his eyes.

'It's fast, it's frenetic, and it's lacking in quality. Even the goalkeepers, Mark Howard and Fraser Forster have dropped clangers but nobody has had the composure to take advantage.'

'Chelsea had been struggling to find a cutting edge but benefit from a slip by Richard Keogh, who was tormented in May after his error allowed Bobby Zamora to score the winning goal in the Championship play-off final.

'‘Are you Gerrard in disguise,’ chant the Chelsea fans, rather cruelly. Keogh makes a good sliding tackle on Didier Drogba to atone a little.'

That was Hazard's first away goal this season and he may get another tonight the way Chelsea are now pushing on.

Filipe Luis lets fly with a stinging snap shot inside the box, but his rising drive is beaten away rather unconvincingly by Lee Grant.

Brutal from Chelsea. Derby have looked a fair match for the Blues, but an error at the back from Richard Keogh allows the visitors to win the ball back high up the field.

Cesc Fabregas feeds Eden Hazard inside the box with a forward pass and the Belgian runs a couple of yards across the box before drilling into the bottom corner.

That will calm Forster's nerves. The keeper is again faced with a Campbell-Ryce cross after the forward darts past Nathaniel Clyne, but this time he claims with ease.

Not put off by Forsyth's woeful crossing attempt earlier, Derby build again down the left, with the full-back's cross this time at least staying in play - although Petr Cech ensures it's not getting past his near post.

The lower league side have started well at Bramall Lane too - in fact they have hit the bar! The errors are racking up for Southampton keeper Fraser Forster in the last few weeks, as the England stopper came to punch clear a Jamal Campbell-Ryce free-kick, only to miss before the ball struck the crossbar.

'Good atmosphere at the iPro. Chelsea fans banging on about being top of the league and Steven Gerrard having an unfortunate fall.

'Home supporters are opening their lungs with ‘Super Derby’ and a song about midfielder Omar Mascarell, on loan from Real Madrid. He promptly concedes an unnecessary corner.'

Nothing separating the Premier League and the Championship high flyers so far. Derby build well on the left through Simon Dawkins and Will Hughes but a pass out wide to Craig Forsyth results in a wasteful cross going well out of play.

'It's strange to look out a team in red-and-white stripes - and it's not Southampton. As the home team, hose are Sheffield United's colours tonight and Saints are in unfamiliar navy shirts and yellow shorts.'

Chelsea are keen to pick out Didier Drogba's strengths early on as a cross for the Ivorian is headed behind by Jake Buxton.

From the resultant corner, the Rams counter through Johnny Russell but he doesn't get far before being chopped down by Andre Schurle, who is booked.

Remember to get the most out of our live coverage by following all the action with Sportsmail's excellent Match Zone.

It features the latest line-ups, formations, match stats and a handy player comparison tool.

In addition there are heat zones for EVERY player as well as detailed maps of all the goals as they go in. Click on the above link for more.

There isn't a spare seat in the house at a vibrant iPro Stadium. The home fans hopeful of an upset...

Which means kick-off is not far away now. It's a chilly evening, but it seems no one told John Terry...

They are not top of the Premier League for no reason you know. It's a strong Chelsea team and Coral are offering 7/2 on the Blues to win by three or more goals after 90 minutes.

Click here for more on that offer as well as other potential bets.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman makes five changes as he aims to arrest a four-match losing streak in the Capital One Cup quarter-final at Sheffield United.

Saints have seen their early-season form drop off in recent weeks and Koeman responds by drafting in Morgan Schneiderlin, Florin Gardos, James Ward-Prowse, Shane Long and Matthew Targett.

Sheffield United boss Nigel Clough, who led the Blades to the FA Cup semi-final last season, has also makes changes, with Chris Basham, Marc McNulty, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Louis Reed and Florent Cuvelier making the starting XI.

Jose Mourinho issued his Capital One Cup intent after naming a strong Chelsea side to face Derby.

Cesc Fabregas returns from suspension after he missed Saturday's 2-0 win over Hull, while Cesar Azpilicueta also starts his 100th Blues game.

Kurt Zouma replaces the rested Gary Cahill to partner John Terry while Andre Schurrle and Didier Drogba are named in the line-up.

Derby boss Steve McClaren makes just two changes from the team which lost 2-0 at Middlesbrough in the Sky Bet Championship.

Jake Buxton comes in for the suspended Ryan Shotton in defence while Will Hughes replaces Jeff Hendrick.

Jose Mourinho's team are also out to warm up, good to see them acknowledging the young mascots with a high five.

And this isn't a Sheffield United outfit lacking confidence neither.

The Blades are well in the hunt for promotion in League One and have one eye on securing a Championship spot for next season as well as a semi-final spot tonight.

Click here for more fixtures, tables and results with our excellent Match Zone

Well this is no ordinary Derby side - in fact they are flying in the Championship, sitting third in the table and one point off top spot.

Coming to a Premier League near you soon? Chelsea will give them a taste of it tonight.

Click here for more fixtures, tables and results with our excellent Match Zone

Sheff Utd: Howard, Flynn, Basham, McEveley, Harris, Reed, Doyle, Campbell-Ryce, Cuvelier, Murphy, McNulty.
Subs: Baxter, McGahey, Higdon, Turner, Kennedy, Adams, Kieran Wallace.

Southampton: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Gardos, Targett, Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Mane, Bertrand, Long.
Subs: Kelvin Davis, Yoshida, Alderweireld, Mayuka, Isgrove, Reed.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Derby: Grant, Christie, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Hughes, Mascarell, Bryson, Russell, Martin, Dawkins.
Subs: Hendrick, Naylor, Coutts, Roos, Calero, Best, Ibe.

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Terry, Luis, Mikel, Matic, Schurrle, Fabregas, Hazard, Drogba.
Subs: Ivanovic, Ramires, Salah, Remy, Costa, Willian, Schwarzer.

Referee: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire)

Howard, Harris, Basham, Flynn, Doyle, Murphy, McNulty, McEveley, Campbell-Ryce, Reed, Cuevelier.

Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Gardos, Targett, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Ward-Prowse, Bertrand, Mane, Long.

Grant, Christie, Buxton, Keogh, Forsyth, Hughes, Mascarell, Bryson, Russell, Martin, Dawkins.

Cech, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Terry, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Matic, Schurrle, Fabregas, Hazard, Drogba.

In fact - very shortly. Will Chelsea go understrength at Derby? Will Southampton recall Morgan Schneiderlin back from injury?

The Blades boss hopes his side can draw inspiration from last season's FA Cup exploits where they reached the semi-finals.

Given the run Southampton are in, I wouldn't rule the League One Blades out that's for sure.

Big game this for Southampton, and not just from a cup perspective. They have lost their last four games and are without a win since the start of November.

A fifth straight loss at the lowest ranked side left in the competition would be a season-low result.

Click here for more fixtures, results and tables with our excellent Match Zone

Jose Mourinho looks like he has a plan all figured out for cup progression going by that nod. We shall see though.

It's the time of year where in English football at least, the fixtures come thick and fast.

Eight teams may have a Capital One Cup semi-final spot in their eyes this week, but with a bloated fixture list coming up for the rest of the month, just how many are prepared to throw in their key stars to get a step closer to Wembley?

Good evening, all. Welcome to Sportsmail's live coverage of the Capital One Cup quarter-finals.