NOT SO SMART WITHOUT ALEK

Fulham misfire as Rooney’s battlers go into positive points

Fulham 0 0

BY IAN BAKER

FULHAM talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic was a shock absentee as his side’s seven-match winning streak come to an end.

The 21-goal striker missed out with what boss Marco Silva described pre-match as an “issue”.

And how the Cottagers had their issues without him as they failed to score for the first time since September.

Replacement Rodrigo Muniz had a nightmare in front of goal as Wayne

Rooney’s Derby battled back to a positive points tally after their recent deductions.

Fabio Carvalho went close to opening the scoring for Fulham early on, but shot just wide.

And then the Rams were unfortunate not to take a shock lead themselves.

Captain Tom Lawrence’s superb run and turn set him a chance for himself, with Fulham keeper Paulo Gazzaniga pushing away.

At the other end, Jean Michael Serri was denied by the bar from his 25-yard strike.

Neeskens Kebano saw a deflected free-kick pushed wide by Rams keeper Roos before Carvalho’s low shot just missed the target.

Muniz fired painfully wide after a misplaced Graeme Shinnie back-pass.

Derby threatened on the break with Lawrence denied again by Gazzaniga after Seri’s tackle had deflected into the Rams captain’s path.

Fulham continued to press for the opener at the start of the second half with Carvalho denied by Roos.

Carvalho then hit the post on the turn before Muniz headed wide seconds later.

Again, Carvalho was denied from close range by Roos. Muniz then missed a sitter, with the goal at his mercy, after the Derby stopper had denied Carvalho for the umpteenth time.

But Derby, now 16 points from safety, held firm with another spirited display.

CARDS POSSESSION SHOTS ON TARGET SHOTS OFF TARGET CORNERS OFFSIDE FOULS STRIKING OUT Muniz misses the target as Rooney (left) applauds his dogged defence