Derby 2 – 1 Fulham

Derby showed their steadfast determination once again by beating Fulham 2-1 from behind, delaying the confirmation of automatic promotion to the Cottagers and keeping their hopes of survival slim.

After Luton’s win over Nottingham Forest earlier on Good Friday, Marco Silva’s men will ensure a return to the Premier League after a season with a win, something they looked likely to do when Fabio Carvalho scored. open the score after 20 minutes.

But Wayne Rooney’s men were the better side after the break and, after teenage striker Luke Plange scored the equalizer (51), Tosin Adarabioyo’s own goal (73) sent the home fans in awe of the home fans. bewildered and won all 3 points for the Rams.

The defeat means Fulham have lost their first head-to-head games this season, but they still have a nine-point lead over second-placed Bournemouth – who have one game on the table. Derby climbed to 22nd place, 9 points away from safety with 4 games remaining.

How Derby Put Fulham’s Champagne Back on Ice

With favorite contractor Chris Kirchner in attendance at a packed Pride Park, Derby started with an encouraging spring in their stride and prevented Fulham from picking up on what has made them so difficult to stop for the season. this.

It took 20 minutes for the Cottagers to register their first shot on target, but when they did, they scored as a slick move was rounded off by Carvalho after exchanging his neat pass. with Bobby Decordova-Reid.

The Portuguese – who is believed to have been linked with a move to Liverpool – arrived for almost a second just before the break, although Rams goalkeeper Ryan Allsop successfully parried his shot on the last occasion. second request.

But as soon as the second half began, the Rams were right back in the game. They showed the desire they had been working on all season and equalized when Plange swam past Lee Buchanan after a tackle started at Allsop.

Allsop was called to action to dive and intercept a header from a remarkably subdued Aleksandar Mitrovic and then defeated by the Serb, who went home after Carvalho’s shot hit the post. vertical, but the manager’s flag denied Mitrovic his 39th goal of the season. .

After 16 minutes of play, Derby took the lead for the first time. An unorthodox tackle from Nathan Byrne freed Tom Lawrence, whose ball in the box – for Plange – had been accidentally sent the ball over the line by the unfortunate Adarabioyo.

Fulham tried to salvage something from the game late in the game, but some late heroes from Allsop, who turned down three players in a row, ensured Fulham’s wait continued.

Man of the Match – Luke Plange

It’s been almost four months since the teenage striker’s last goal for Derby, but his latest goal couldn’t mean more for both his team and others in the league.

Plange, who is on loan from Crystal Palace after a January deal, showed a superb ability to rush into the box after being built by the home side and played a key role in the second game, with His presence put Tosin Adarabioyo under pressure before he returned the ball to his own net.

What the managers have to say…

What’s next?

Derby will resume at 3pm on Easter Monday, when they head to Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium to play QPR, in a live match on Sky Sports Football Red button. Fulham, meanwhile, returned at 19:45 the next evening, when they hosted Preston at Craven Cottage.