Fulham beaten after Button’s blunders
Derby 4 Fulham 2
David Nugent scored a hat-trick at Pride Park, where Fulham’s promotion hopes took a major blow.
Floyd Ayite netted both goals for Slavisa Jokanovic’s side, who were punished for two defensive blunders – both involving David Button.
Having climbed above Sheffield Wednesday and into the play-off places at the weekend, the Whites dropped out of them again after Wednesday won at relegated Rotherham.
In an action-packed first half, Nugent put Derby ahead, Ayite equalised, Button saved a penalty from Nugent – who made it 2-1 two minutes later – and Sone Aluko hit the post.
And errors by keeper Button led to Nugent and then Johnny Russell scoring second-half goals before Ayite pulled one back.
Fulham went behind after just eight minutes, when Nugent lifted the ball over Button after being set up by Marcus Olsson.
The visitors responded strongly and equalised on 35 minutes.
Ryan Fredericks crossed from the right and the ball ricocheted off of Derby’s Bradley Johnson into the path of Ayite, who blasted home.
With Fulham on top, Tomas Kalas handed Derby a chance to regain the lead against the run of play when he brought down Matej Vydra.
Button dived to his left to keep out Nugent’s spot-kick but was unable to deny the striker when he fired in after a Rams corner had been headed on by Alex Pearce.
Again Fulham’s response was strong – and they were desperately unlucky not to equalise again when Aluko’s left-footed strike hit the woodwork.
However, they faded after the interval and a defensive aberration led to Nugent scoring again just before the hour mark.
Tim Ream made a mess of his attempted clearance and Button then belted his straight at Nugent, who held off the chasing Ream to score into an unguarded net.
And another howler resulted in a fourth Derby goal.
Button’s woeful throw dropped to straight to Craig Bryson and the midfielder found Russell, who took full advantage.
Ayite finished well following a sharp counter-attack with 12 minutes remaining, but there was no way back for Fulham.
