Derby County 2-1 Fulham: Rams maintain hopes of survival and make Fulham wait for promotion

Tosin Adarabioyo got the final touch, directing the ball into his own net for the Derby winner

Derby County abruptly halted the Fulham Premier League promotion party as they came from behind to declare a decisive victory that kept their own faint hopes of avoiding relegation.

Fulham were on the verge of victory, which would ensure an immediate return to the league with five free games thanks to the good discoveries of Fabio Carvalho.

But 19-year-old Luke Plunge led the hosts to five minutes in the second period before Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo turned Tom Lawrence’s cross into his own net.

Realistically, the result is unlikely to change the story of the campaign, given that Fulham still requires only three points for promotion, and one defeat in the final four games of Rams will leave Reading need only one point to Derby is dropped.

But in the face of future new owner Chris Kirchner, the result underscores the battle that remains at the club, which over the next few weeks must provide manager Wayne Rooney with some stability, so necessary to build for the future.

Consecutive defeats for the first time this season are a big disappointment for Fulham – and this loss will hurt because 45 minutes seemed so unlikely.

Future new Derby owner Chris Kirchner was among the 23,773-member crowd at Pride Park

Without ever being in their best form, Marco Silva’s men had too much for their hosts.

Carvalho’s one-two finish with Bobby Decordova-Reid showed why Jurgen Klopp wanted to take the Portuguese youngster to Liverpool and he would have had two if it weren’t for Ryan Olsop’s excellent save.

Olsop rejected Alexander Mitrovic’s 38 goals with a flying save after half-time and the Serb received a goal rejected for offside after hitting the rebound in a Carvalho shot that hit the base of the crossbar.

By this time, Derby had leveled when Plange completed a smooth move that included home pair Liam Thompson and Lee Buchanan.

The Derby winner had an element of luck, but Plunge deserved credit for putting Tosin under pressure.

In a frantic final, Malcolm Ebayway tested Marek Rodak with a long shot before Harrison Reed suffered a concussion deflected while Derby remained defiant to secure a memorable triumph.

Derby County Manager Wayne Rooney:

“We knew it would be a difficult match, but I believed we would win.

“When I saw Redding’s last-minute result (for a win at Sheffield United), you were worried that the young players were watching this and it would take them energy.

“But I felt that at half time, if we had more faith, we would have won. The character of the players is amazing to go out and score both goals.

“We pushed a little higher and they really struggled with that. Liam Thompson was magnificent. It was a mandatory victory, fortunately we succeeded.

“I want my team to be a reflection of myself. I see in the eyes of the players that at halftime in many games this season they are looking down a bit.

“The mentality is what I am most proud of. This is the most difficult thing to teach.

“But we have to change the away form if we want to have a chance to stay. It’s going to be a tough match (on QPR), but we have to win.”

Fulham manager Marco Silva:

“Our first half was good, and in the second we expected a reaction and it was important for us to control the game and we made a mistake.

“We had a chance to win. We are at the top of this league for a reason, but we have lost focus. We need to improve.

“Regular defeats for the first time this season, this is not a matter of focus. We had to be more aggressive tonight. We had to stop the attacks with tactical fouls.

“We knew before the match that it would be emotional. We knew what would happen with three points. Derby’s pressure is much stronger. Our pressure is the best pressure.

“But if we want to play in the Premier League, we have to deal with the pressure.”

Compositions

derby

Formation 4-2-3-1

31 Alsop

2Burn33Davis41Keshin26Bucanon

5Bielik42Thompson

32Ebioway10 Lawrence38Knight

48Plange

• 31 AlsopBooked for 89 minutes
• 2Burn
• 33Davis
• 41 KeshinReserved for 90 minutes
• 26 Buchanan
• 5Bielik Replaced at Sibley 84 minutes
• 42 ThompsonBooked in 33 minutesReplaced by Eboseleat 72 minutes
• 32Ebiovei Replaced at Richardsat 90 + 7 minutes
• 10 LawrenceBooked for 61 minutes
• 38Knight
• 48Plange

Substitutes

• 3Forsite
• 16 Stearman
• 17 Sibley
• 21Ros
• 36 The rest
• 46 Richards
• 49Cybulski

Fulham

Formation 4-2-3-1

1 Sticks

20N Williams16Tosin13Ream23Bryan

10Cairney6Reed

8Wilson28Carvalho14De Cordova-Reid

9Mitrovich

• 1 Sticks
• 20N Williams Substituted by Munitz Karvalhout 81 minutes
• 16Tosin
• 13 Ream
• 23 BrianReserved for 90 minutes
• 10Cairney Replaced by Seriat 72 minutes
• 6 Reed
• 8Wilson replaced Kebanoat 72 minutes
• 28 Carvalho
• 14De Cordova-Reid
• 9Mitrovich

Substitutes

• 3 Hector
• 7Kebano
• 12 Chaloba
• 19 Munis Carvalho
• 21Gazzaniga
• 24Series
• 33 Robinson

Judge: Robert Jones

Visits: 23,773

Live text

1. Game over, Derby County 2, Fulham 1.

2. The second half is over, Derby County 2, Fulham 1.

3. Substitution, Derby County. Carlos Peliza Richards replaces Malcolm Ebioway.

4. Joe Brian (Fulham) is cautioned by the referee.

5. Foul by Joe Brian (Fulham).

6. Festi Ebosele (Derby County) won a free kick from the right wing.

7. The experience is saved. Tosin Adarabioyo (Fulham) with a header from the center of the penalty area is kept in the center of the goal. Assisted by Alexander Mitrovich with a header.

8. Corner, Fulham. Admitted by Ryan Olsop.

9. The experience is saved. Harrison Reed (Fulham) with his left foot outside the penalty area was saved in the center of the door.

10. Attempt blocked. A shot taken by Rodrigo Munis (Fulham) with a right foot kick from the center of the penalty area.

11. The experience is saved. A shot from Rodrigo Munis (Fulham) with a right foot from the center of the penalty area is saved in the center of the goal.

12. Handball by Fabio Carvalho (Fulham).

13. Corner, Fulham. Admitted by Eyran Kashin.

14. Ayran Kashin (Derby County) is cautioned by the referee.

15. Rodrigo Munis (Fulham) wins the free-kick.

16. Violation of Eyran Kashin (Derby County).

17. The experience is saved. Malcolm Abioway (Derby County) shot with his right foot outside the penalty area is saved in the lower left corner. Assisted by Luke Plunge.

18. Ryan Olsop (Derby County) is cautioned by the referee.

19. Missed experience. Alexander Mitrovic (Fulham) with a header from the center of the box passes to the right. Assisted by Neeskens Kebano with centering.

20. Handball by Bobby De Cordova-Reed (Fulham).