Match Review - Fulham (h)

[Jourdan]

Derby 2-2 Fulham
By Jourdan Rhule

Tito Villa’s header rescued a point for Derby but the draw wasn’t enough to ward off the confirmation of relegation to the Championship.

Both sides started tentatively but the Rams went ahead after 10 minutes thanks to a slice of good fortune. Defender Dean Leacock, playing against his former club, attempted a speculative 25-yard shot, which crashed into Tito Villa. The slight deflection off the Argentine saw the ball zip past Kasey Keller who was left wrong-footed.

Derby had the opportunity to add to their lead but Keller plucked David Jones’ curling 20-yard strike out of the air, as it looked set to creep in at his left hand post. The Cottagers would be grateful for this reprieve as they soon pegged the Rams back. Simon Davies found space on the right wing to pick out Diomansy Kamara who peeled off his marker to slam home Davies’ cross with an emphatic close range header.

Derby had a half-chance to re-take the lead when Jones showed great vision to thread a pass into space for Kenny Miller to seize on. But the Scottish international couldn’t bring the ball under total control as he was soon confronted by Keller, who had rushed off his line to pressurise the Rams’ leading goalscorer.

Opportunities were rare as the half wore on, with both teams struggling to find rhythm going forward. But the home side were left rueing their luck as their penalty claims were waved away despite Brede Hangeland appearing to handle Mile Sterjovski’s cross.

The second period began with Fulham looking to take the initiative and after squandering earlier free kicks; Jimmy Bullard gave the Derby defence a scare. After being hauled down by Hossam Ghaly, the former Wigan midfielder lashed his long-range free kick against Roy Carroll’s crossbar to the relief of the Pride Park crowd.

This seemed to give County a wake up call and they pushed to reclaim the lead but Rob Earnshaw, who was a first-half replacement for the injured Miller, fired agonisingly across the goalmouth from an acute angle after pouncing on some hesitation by Kasey Keller in goal.

This was followed by a surging run from Sterjovski who powered from midfield to clobber the ball towards goal from 20 yards, but Keller reacted instinctively to divert the long-range effort over the bar.

Eddie Lewis’ cross-shot clattered against the bar from the resulting corner before captain Robbie Savage fluffed a wonderful opportunity to grab his first goal in a Rams shirt. The Rams built patiently down the left before Villa cleverly flicked the ball into the feet of Savage who had escaped the attention of the Fulham defence. But the former Leicester midfielder snatched at his shot as he side-footed the ball straight into the arms of Keller.

The Whites poured forward after soaking up Derby’s spell of dominance. Kamara burst clear down the left wing but saw his shot forced away by Carroll. Hameur Bouazza was first to the rebound and saw his speculative attempt deflect off Leacock and float over the helpless Carroll into the back of the net.

But Derby bounced back instantly as Sterjovski broke away down the right to deliver an inviting cross that Villa attacked at the near post with a perfectly timed glancing header that sneaked into the far corner of Keller’s goal.

The Argentine was buoyant and leapt into the crowd to celebrate as if the goal was the winner of an FA Cup final. The harsh reality was that the goal only softened the imminent blow of relegation confirmation.

Both teams plugged away during the remainder of the game but neither side were able to edge ahead. Aaron Hughes’ downward header, which was clawed away by Carroll, was the closest either side came to a winner. The draw was a fair result but it left both sides staring relegation in the face, with Derby mathematically down and Fulham six points adrift of 17th placed Birmingham.

Player Ratings

Carroll – 7 – Continues to impress with his shot stopping and is a great presence at the back, but his kicking still seems a bit iffy.

Todd – 6 – Performed steadily despite playing out of position

Moore – 6 – Kept McBride in check more often than not.

Leacock – 6 – Didn’t look too stretched by the Fulham attack, was unfortunately placed for their second.

Lewis – 6 – Like Todd, he did ok considering he was playing out of position.

Sterjovski – 7 – Despite a lack of pace, he still possessed enough ability to be a constant threat.

Savage – 7 – Comfortably nullified Bullard in midfield, but should have done better with his second half opportunity.

Ghaly – 6 – Looked dangerous one minute, anonymous the next.

Jones – 6 – Growing in confidence with every passing game but needs to keep concentration more regularly.

Miller – 5 – Didn’t really look comfortable before going off injured.

Villa – 8 – MOTM – Totally deserved his two goals after a hardworking performance.

Subs.:

Earnshaw – 7 – Kept the Fulham defence on their toes.

Mears – 5 – Didn’t see much of the ball on a swift and unexpected return to first team football.

[derbycountyman]

i think all the 6's are a bit harsh

Thats only just above half

[potter]

thay did well like lets have 7's and a few 8's and villa a 9 that lad jumps like a samon

potter

[mjg21]

i think moore deserved a 7 because he handled mcbride very well

[TommY]

Sterjovski did not lack pace. Anyone see where him and Konchesky had a race for the ball and Sterjovski easily outpaced him? Konchesky isn't slow either.

Midfield was amazing for us, they ran the game. Defence was good also, Moore particulary marked McBride so much out of the game i can only recall him having a proper touch once! Up front Earnshaw deserved at least an 8 and Villa 9, they were roughly the same with Earnshaw with a bit more class but Villa got 2 good goals. The first he actually intended

[potter]

he did but it was a reaction i do belive, but he did mean it deffinatly

potter

[GresleyRam]

Its all ifs and buts - the story of our season! should have 3 or 4 wins under our belts now but we're not clinical enough. Promising signs though!

[coxy]

we will be back

[GresleyRam]

Hopefully, and stronger than we were this time around! COME ON YOU RAMS!!