Energetic but goal-shy Leicester City left it late to earn a deserved replay. The Foxes weren't necessarily the most clinical side but they also didn't deserve to be dumped out at Pride Park. A 2-2 draw was probably a fair result.
Positives
Leicester looked hungry and far less negative than in their demoralising 3-0 defeat to Southampton at the weekend, but there was still no real cutting edge despite scoring twice. Shinji Okazaki had a bit more freedom and was arguably the Foxes biggest threat. Demarai Gray was also a live wire off the bench.
Negatives
Leicester are still struggling for goals so it was fitting that their first at Pride Park came from Derby's Darren Bent. Wes Morgan and Robert Huth also continue to look exposed when run at with pace. City urgently need another centre-back before the transfer window shuts. With survival the priority, and a last-16 Champions League tie against Sevilla on the horizon, an FA Cup reply also doesn't help an already congested fixture calendar, but better that than a confidence-destroying loss to a Championship side.
Manager rating out of 10
6 -- Claudio Ranieri chose to field a starting XI consisting entirely of Premier League winners leaving four new signings on the bench. With a more important away trip to Burnley on Tuesday the Leicester boss was right to bench Riyad Mahrez who had only just returned from the African Nations Cup. His Algeria teammate Islam Slimani was not included in the squad fuelling rumours he's about to join Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian. It will be interesting to see if City's record signing is still at the club come the trip to Turf Moor. Ranieri also again picked promising full-back Ben Chilwell, trialling him in left midfield -- a bold move but one that largely backfired in the first half.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Kasper Schmeichel, 6 -- Didn't have tons to do, but his tame punch did lead to Darren Bent's equaliser.
DF Danny Simpson, 5 -- His poor header paved the way for Derby's second, but despite that major blip he was still solid in tricky conditions.
DF Robert Huth, 6 -- Wasn't afraid to throw his body about at both ends, but looked tired by the end, which is worrying ahead of an away trip to Burnley on Tuesday. Possibly got away with a handball late on as well. A penalty would have been pretty harsh, but his hand wasn't in a totally natural position.
DF Wes Morgan, 6 -- Took his equaliser brilliantly, but that didn't totally paper over a shaky display at the back. Allowed Craig Bryson to storm into the box for Derby's second and was caught ball-watching far too often.
DF Christian Fuchs, 6 -- A bit unlucky to be taken off at half-time. Barely put a foot wrong, but Ranieri clearly wanted to utilise Chilwell's extra attacking threat in the second half.
MF Ben Chilwell, 6 -- Mistimed his jump as Bent cancelled out his own-goal at the other end. Looked far more comfortable in the second half when moved back into defence.
MF Andy King, 5 -- Had plenty of time and space in midfield but failed to find too many incisive or creative passes.
MF Danny Drinkwater, 7 -- A determined, tenacious shift. Is used to being more disciplined and defence-minded, but for once had the chance to burst into the Derby box and almost won it in injury time doing exactly that.
MF Marc Albrighton, 5 -- Got into lots of dangerous areas but rarely found a quality delivery. Ran his socks off but let his side down from set pieces, corners in particular.
FW Shinji Okazaki, 8 -- Extremely positive and energetic throughout. Forced a top draw save from Scott Carson in the first half with a ferocious strike. Later spurned a golden opportunity in the second half, unwisely choosing to drill a low effort rather than lift the ball over the Derby keeper.
FW Jamie Vardy, 4 -- Extremely poor. A rainy East Midlands derby is precisely the kind of game Vardy should relish, but he just didn't want to be out there. Wasted the one chance he did have, glancing a weak header straight at Carson.
Substitutes
MF Demarai Gray, 8 -- Should have scored with his first touch, but placed an instinctive close-range strike straight at the very busy Carson. Moments later he was very unlucky to hit the post. Also delivered the corner for Morgan's equaliser.
MF Riyad Mahrez, 6 -- Gave Leicester an initial spark then faded, but came to life once again in injury time with a couple of jinxing runs.
FW Ahmed Musa, N/R -- Had one half-chance but put it well wide. Did however win the corner that spared Leicester's blushes.