Derby County abruptly stopped Fulham’s promotion party to the Premier League as they came from behind to claim a crucial victory that kept alive their own dim hopes of avoiding relegation. Fulham were well on their way to victory that would ensure an immediate return to the top of the division with five games left, thanks to the well-executed first game of Fabio Carvalho. But 19-year-old Luke Plantz brought the hosts level five minutes after the second period before Fulham defender Tosin Adarabiogio returned Tom Lawrence’s cross into his net. Realistically, the result is unlikely to change the campaign’s narrative, as Fulham still need just three points to rise and a defeat in the last four Rams games will leave Reading needing just one point to knock down the Derby. . But in the face of new owner candidate Chris Kirchner, the result underscored the battle that remains in a club that should, over the next two weeks, give coach Wayne Rooney some of the stability he needs to build for the future. Consecutive defeats for the first time this season are a big disappointment for Fulham – and this defeat will hurt because for 45 minutes it seemed so unlikely. Derby’s prospective new owner, Chris Kirchner, was among a crowd of 23,773 at Pride Park. Without ever being at their best, Marco Silva’s men had too much for their hosts. Carvalho’s end at one-two with Bobby Decordova-Reid showed why Jurgen Klopp wants to take the young Portuguese to Liverpool and would have two but for Ryan Allsop’s excellent save. Alsop denied Aleksandar Mitrovic’s 38th goal with a save after half time and the Serb canceled out a goal due to offside as he scored a rebound in an attempt by Carvalho to hit the post. At that point, Derby had equalized when Plange completed a flowing move that also included home team Liam Thompson and Lee Buchanan. There was an element of luck for the Derby winner, but Plange deserves the credit for putting Tosin under pressure. In a frantic finale, Malcolm Ebiowei tested Marek Rodak with a long range before Harrison Reid had a shot to deflect the injury, as Derby remained challenging to secure an unforgettable victory. Derby County coach Wayne Rooney: “We knew it would be a difficult game, but I thought we would win. “When I saw Reading score in the last minute (to beat Sheffield United), you were worried that the young players were watching and it would give them energy. “But I felt at half time if we had more faith, we would have won. The character of the players is incredible to come out and score both goals. “We pushed a little higher and they had a hard time with it. Liam Thompson was great. It was a much-needed win, fortunately we did it. “I want my team to be a reflection of myself. I can see in the eyes of the players, at halftime in many games this season, they look a bit down. “The mentality is the thing I’m most proud of. This is the hardest thing to teach. “But we have to change the away form to have a chance to stay. It will be a difficult game (in QPR), but we have to win.” Fulham coach Marco Silva: “Our first half was good and in the second half 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 some reason, but we lost our focus. We need to improve. “Consecutive defeats for the first time this season, this is not a matter of focus. Tonight we had to be more aggressive. We had to stop the attacks with regular fouls. “We knew before the match that it would be emotional. We knew what would happen with the three points. The Derby pressure is much harder. Our pressure is the nicest pressure. “But if we want to play in the Premier League, we have to face the pressure.”
Lining up
Derby
4-2-3-1 formation 31Allsop 2Byrne33Davies41Cashin26Buchanan 5Bielik42Thompson 32Ebiowei10Lawrence38Knight 48 Plange
31AllsopReservation at 89 minutes 2 Bern 33 Davis 41CashinReservation at 90 minutes 26 Buchanan 5th Bielik Substitution for Sibleyat in 84 ‘ 42 ThompsonReservation at 33 minutesSubstitution, Eboseleat at 72 ‘ 32 Ebiowei Substitution, Richards’s 90 + 7 ‘minutes 10 LawrenceReservation at 61 minutes 38 Knight 48 Plange
Alternates
3 Forsyth 16 Stearman 17 Sibley 21Roos 36 The rest 46 Richards 49 Cybulski
Fulham
4-2-3-1 formation 1 Rods 20N Williams16Tosin13Ream23Bryan 10Cairney6Reed 8Wilson28Carvalho14De Cordova-Reid 9 Mitrovic
1 Rods 20N Williams Substitution for Muniz Carvalhoat in 81 ‘ 16 Tosin 13 Ream 23 BrianReservation at 90 minutes 10 Kerny’s substitution in Seriat in 72 ‘ 6Cane 8 Wilson changed for Cephanoat in 72 ‘ 28 Carvalho 14De Cordova-Reid 9 Mitrovic
Alternates
3 Hector 7Bell 12 Halobas 19 Muniz Carvalho 21Gazzaniga 24Seri 33 Robinson
Referee: Robert Jones Participations: 23,773
