Fulham draw at home to Derby
Fulham 1 Derby 1
Fulham remain without a win since December despite an improved display against promotion-chasing Derby.
The Whites went ahead in the first half when Rams right-back Marcus Olsson turned Luke Garbutt’s cross into his own net.
Derby equalised on the stroke of half-time through Craig Bryson’s skilful sidefooted volley, while the Rams’ Richard Keogh also hit the bar early on.
Fulham have now won just once in 15 Championship matches and remain just three points above the relegation zone.
Their improvement was aided by Ross McCormack’s return to the side after his unsuccessful wrangle over a transfer to Middlesbrough, while the Whites also handed a debut to new loanee from Brighton Rohan Ince.
And there was a place in the side for Fernando Amorebieta, who returned from a loan at Middlesbrough and had not played for Fulham since March 2015.
He was typically lively at the back but allowed Martin to steal a yard in front of him and head a free-kick onto the bar after seven minutes.
Former Fulham man Chris Baird also volleyed just over in a strong start for the visitors that was undone when Olsson deflected the ball past his own keeper on 17 minutes.
The Whites were in the process of a strong finish to the half when Bryson rifled in the equaliser on 45 minutes, but they continued to have the upper hand in the second half.
Substitute Alex Kacaniklic, who replaced Ince at the interval, forced a good save from Scott Carson to his right and Moussa Dembele, who almost joined Tottenham in the transfer window, headed wide at the far post late on.
Fulham needed Andy Lonergan to tip Cyrus Christie’s fierce effort over the bar on 88 minutes to ensure a point, but McCormack hit the side netting and Tom Cairney missed the far post from long range right at the end.
Fulham (4-2-2): Lonergan; Richards, Burn, Amorebieta, Garbutt; Cairney, Ince (Kacaniklic 46), O’Hara, Christensen (Parker 86); McCormack, Dembele (Smith 76)
Subs not used: Lewis, Fredericks, Labyad, Ream
