Afternoon all. Well, league action may have taken a back seat this weekend, but at least we have the FA Cup third round to keep us occupied! We've already seen a couple of upsets, will there be one at Derby County vs. Chelsea? If there is, we will have it covered right here.

The team news is just starting to filter through so before we go any further, let's take a look at that, starting with the home side.

DERBY XI: Grant; Wisdom, Buxton, Keane, Forsyth; Eustace, Hughes, Hendrick, Dawkins; Ward, Martin

DERBY SUBS: Legzdins, Freeman, Sammon, Bennett, Whitbread, Bailey, Cisse

The big news for Derby is that Craig Bryson has failed to recover from a groin injury in time for this tie. Instead, his place has gone to Jeff Hendrick, who will make his first start since the match with Charlton Athletic last month. Elsewhere, Johnny Russell has missed out because of a facial injury, while Manchester United loanee Michael Keane will continue at the heart of the defence in the absence of Richard Keogh.

And now for visiting Chelsea...

CHELSEA XI: Schwarzer; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Luiz, Cole; Essien, Mikel; Ramires, Oscar, Willian; Eto’o

CHELSEA SUBS: Cech, Kalas, Terry, Baker, Hazard, Mata, Torres

He may have rested the likes of Petr Cech, John Terry and Eden Hazard, but Jose Mourinho has still selected a strong side. There is space for the Brazilian midfield trio of Ramires, Oscar and Willian, who will play behind lone striker Samuel Eto'o. Also, Michael Essien will take on a holding midfield role, while David Luiz has replaced Terry at centre-back.

Turning attention back to Derby quickly, their assistant manager Paul Simpson has just been explaining the omission of Bryson, who it had been hoped would be fit today:

"Unfortunately Craig Bryson is not fit enough to take part in today’s game. Hopefully he will be okay for Friday night against Leicester, but today was a bit too soon. Jeff Hendrick comes in and he has been chomping at the bit, waiting for that opportunity, so hopefully he will go out there and play to the levels that we think he is capable of," he told the club's official website.

And Derby manager Steve McClaren has just been talking to BT Sport. Here's what he had to say:

"When you play against Chelsea and the team that they can put out, it's a big test for our young players. We've got to perform today, be aggressive and show some courage. The players are looking forward to the game, it's a showcase for them. The FA Cup is for the fans and the players. Bringing Chelsea here, it's perfect for the fans and the players."

Incidentally, McClaren was a Derby player when these two sides last met in the FA Cup back in January 1988 at the Baseball Ground. It wasn't a positive afternoon for the hosts, though, as Chelsea recorded a 3-1 victory, with Kerry Dixon get his name on the scoresheet.

In fact, the Rams have struggled for positive results against Chelsea in recent years. They've not recorded a win in the last seven matches, drawing just once. They have also shipped a hefty 23 goals in the process. What's more, the majority of those games were played before Roman Abramovich pumped his billions into the West Londoners.

Back to Chelsea and their manager Mourinho, who will face Derby for the first time today, has just been talking to BT Sport: "We want to try to win the competition and show it respect. I've tried to select the best possible team. I've tried to play with a strong team because we know that a good team from the Championship can give a Premier League team a tough game."

Someone that will be disappointed not to feature for Chelsea today is Mata, who looked angered to have been substituted last time out against Southampton. If he can't get into the side for FA Cup ties, you'd have to imagine that his days at Stamford Bridge are numbered. Again on BT Sport, former Tottenham Hotspur winger has just claimed that he knows of interest in the Spaniard from Paris Saint-Germain. Maybe they are planning a January bid?

By the way, the Football Association have decided (for some strange reason) to make the draw for the fourth round shortly. There are still five matches to be completed, but there you go! It's just about to happen so let's see who the winners of this tie will face in the next round...

...Well, it took a little while, but the winner of this contest will play host to Stoke City in the next round. Potentially that could seen former Chelsea striker Mark Hughes, now manager of Stoke, return to Stamford Bridge. Hughes won the FA Cup during his stint with the Blues.

So, it's not exactly a mouth-watering tie that awaits the victor, but it is one that both will feel that they have a chance of advancing from. If they do that, they will be into the fifth round and draw permitting, anything can happen at that point. This is certainly a fixture that is even more worth winning after that draw.

Anyway, the players have now made their way out on to the pitch. There is a good atmosphere inside the stadium - a full house in fact. Will they be going home happy? We shall soon find out.

GAME ON! Here we go then. Chelsea, attacking from right to left, get this FA Cup tie underway.

Chelsea have been in command so far, although what Eto'o was doing with a chipped effort only he knows. Standing on the edge of the area, he seemed to get far too much elevation on his shot and the ball flew over crossbar. Nevertheless, it's been a bright start by the visitors.

A moment of controversy just now as Derby goalkeeper Lee Grant runs the ball out of play following a collision with Eto'o. Instead of a foul, the officials award a corner, much to the anger of the home supporters. Thankfully Derby were able to clear the danger otherwise the referee and his assistants could have been in for some stick.

Credit to Derby because after a fast start from Chelsea, they've come into this clash. They are keeping the ball on the floor and are looking to string passes together whenever possible. Their first real chance saw Craig Forsyth drill in a cross from the right, but a sliding Jamie Ward just failed to make contact with the ball and Ashley Cole cleared.

Derby are not happy with the officials. On three different occasions now they feel that decisions have gone against them, as do the supporters. It's important that they keep their heads because picking up unnecessary yellow cards could prove costly.

CHANCE! Had Chelsea been able to call upon the Eto'o of 2010, they would be 1-0 up here. The Cameroon striker is put through on goal, but he dallies over his shot and in the end is closed down. He showed none of the pace and clinical touch that he displayed so often during his time with Barcelona and Inter Milan.

CHANCE! Another Chelsea effort, this time from skipper Essien. Willian shows quick feet to cut inside, before slotting a square pass into his teammate. He takes one touch, before unleashing a shot from 25 yards out, but the ball bounces well wide of the Derby goal.

A wasted opportunity for Derby as Luiz takes a chance with a pass, which is intercepted by Ward. That leaves the Derby attacker with just Gary Cahill to beat, but he hesitates and the Chelsea defender gets in a block.

CHANCE! Down the other end, Ramires, who has been lively so far, tries his luck from distance and the strike does enough to worry Grant in the Derby goal as it whistles past the post. Then, moments later, John Eustace receives a yellow card for a foul on Essien.

For all the possession that they are having, Chelsea are not creating too much. In fact, everything they've hit so far has failed to hit the target. There is still a long way to go, obviously, but Derby will be happy with their work so far.

SAVE! That's greedy from Derby midfielder Eustace, who collected possession just inside the Chelsea half and drove forwards. He had Will Hughes and Chris Martin ahead of him in good positions, but he went for glory and shot straight at Mark Schwarzer. His teammates, as you might imagine, are not happy.

Chelsea are in the ascendancy as the fourth official indicates that there will be one minute of stoppage time.

OFF THE POST! I said Chelsea were dominating and they almost claimed the lead before the break. It's all about Ramires, who cut inside the penalty area and on to his left foot, before curling a low shot towards goal. Grant dives but cannot reach it, only for the ball to cannon to safety off the base of the upright.

So, despite being the dominant force, Chelsea have failed to break the deadlock and as a result the two sides head into the interval level.

Home manager McClaren is bound to be delighted with what his players have produced so far. They've defended extremely well, so much so that Chelsea have been limited to shots from distance. The Rams have also looked to keep the ball on the floor whenever possible and have actually caused a couple of problems of their own. They may need to be a little more adventurous, though, if they are to win this tie.

As for Chelsea, Mourinho will no doubt be calling for his players to get behind the Derby defence on a more regular basis. A lot of what they have done has been played in front of the home rearguard, which they have dealt with relatively comfortable. Perhaps it won't be long until Hazard and even Fernando Torres are introduced into the action - both may stretch the hosts a bit more.

From a Derby point of view, it would be good to see a bit more of Hughes. The 18-year-old has earned rave reviews this season, but he hasn't shown too much in this tie. To be honest, the match has passed him by a little. Having said that, it's also down to his teammates to give him the ball on a more regular basis.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Both sets of players have returned from the dressing rooms and hosting Derby get this tie restarted.

An early attack from Chelsea sees Oscar with time and space on the left flank. The Brazilian sends over a cross towards Eto'o, but Jake Buxton is alert and comes across to hack the ball clear. Chelsea have started this half in the same way that they ended the first one - in control.

Meanwhile, up the other end Hughes is fouled on the edge of the penalty area by Chelsea midfielder Obi Mikel. Ward takes responsibility for the free kick, but there is too much height on his effort and the ball sails over the crossbar. A chance wasted for the home team.

SAVE! Ward is again in the thick of the action as Derby start to apply some pressure of their own. His shot from just inside the penalty area takes a big deflection and looks to have caught out Schwarzer in the Chelsea goal. The Aussie rearranges his feet just in time, though, and is able to get down to claim the ball.

SUBSTITUTION: Mourinho blinks first in terms of replacements, with Hazard replacing Essien. The Chelsea boss has obviously decided that his team does not need two holding midfield players. Torres has also been sent to warm-up so it might not be long until he enters the action.

Derby really have adopted a more positive approach since the restart. Moments ago full-back Andre Wisdom, who is on loan from Liverpool, just drove into the penalty area, only to see his route blocked by Mikel. The resultant corner from Ward is weak and easily cleared.

BOOKING! It looked like a tired challenge from youngster Hughes as he brought down Oscar on the halfway line. The Derby midfielder had no complaints as Andre Marriner dishes out the yellow card.

SUBSTITUTION: That's the end of Eto'o's afternoon and he has been pretty disappointing, it must be said. He has been replaced by Torres, who scored on this ground during his time as a Liverpool player.

Football, hey?! Just when Derby are enjoying their best spell of the match, Chelsea take the lead. Willian is the creator, whipping over a cross from the left. Mikel gets across Wisdom with a smart run towards the near post and he is able to glance in a header before Grant can even react. That's not a bad way to mark your 300th match in a blue shirt. It's a big ask for Derby now.

BOOKING! Another football match and another diving incident. This time it's Chelsea midfielder Ramires, who throws himself to the ground dramatically with no contact being made. He protests his innocence, but Marriner is right to dish out the yellow card. What a pointless thing to do by the Brazilian.

SUBSTITUTIONS: It's a double change for the home side as Ward and Eustace are replaced by Sammon and Bennett.

And that is game over you feel. Hazard has certainly livened Chelsea up since he came on and it was the Belgian that picked out Oscar inside the penalty area with a volleyed pass. He had options to his left, but the Chelsea midfielder went for goal and his gamble was rewarded as the ball flew inside the near post. The away side have had two shots on target and scored both - how's your luck?!

Derby look a tired team now - that second goal has really knocked the stuffing out of them. It wouldn't be a surprise if Chelsea added another goal or two because at the moment it is attack after attack.

CHANCE! Oh dear Torres, he will not want to see this one again. First of all he does brilliantly to carve out the chance for himself, but having rounded Grant, he appears to lose his footing in the action of shooting and the danger is cleared when a goal looked inevitable. Then, moments later, the Spaniard sees his drilled shot well stopped by the Derby keeper.

OFF THE BAR! Chelsea's Ramires has now hit the woodwork twice today. On this occasion his strike from the edge of the area loops up off Keane and beats Grant all ends up. However, rather than landing in the net, the ball hits the top of the bar and a corner is all that the away side get out of it.

SUBSTITUTION: The final change for Derby as the injury-hit James Bailey enters the action for the first time this season in place of Simon Dawkins.

SAVE! Fair play to Derby, they are going out fighting. Sammon shows great strength initially, before laying the ball into the path of his strike partner Martin. The angle looks to be against him, but he powers a shot goalwards nonetheless and forces Schwarzer to make a smart save down to his left.

SUBSTITUTION: Final alteration for Chelsea and it's the youngster Lewis Baker that is given a chance to show what he can do on his debut. The midfielder has taken Oscar's place.

There will be three minutes of stoppage time at the end of this match.

So, as many had anticipated, it was a routine victory for Chelsea away at Derby. Mourinho's men will take on Stoke City at Stamford Bridge in the next round.

That's all we have time for today. Thanks for joining our FA Cup coverage and until next time, goodbye.