Cameron Jerome’s fifth goal in four games gave Derby the edge in this play-off semi-final on Friday night and threatened to inflict heartache on Fulham for the second season running.
County were camped in their own third for so long towards the end that Gary Rowett might as well have brought a tent and pegs with him.
After Jerome’s goal the onus was on holding that lead. Fulham’s death by a thousand passes can make opposition mentally weary, Rowett claimed afterwards, and that they thwarted this irresistible attacking force is to the manager’s credit.
Cameron Jerome rose higher than Fulham’s Matt Targett to head home the opening goal
The Rams take a crucial advantage into the second leg of the tie at Craven Cottage on Monday
Derby goalkeeper Scott Carson unleashed his emotions after the goal in the play-off first leg
Fulham captain Tom Cairney looked to the sky in anguish with the Londoners in despair
Fulham registered 703 passes to Derby’s 183, constantly working through midfield. Anxiety almost consumed Pride Park during an often excruciating second half but in the end they stood tall, led courageously by Curtis Davies.
Given what Derby have endured for the last decade, with so many disappointments and near misses, more than half an hour of sheer doggedness might look worth it in the long run.
Only time will tell, of course, but that they stopped Slavisa Jokanovic’s side from scoring in a Championship match for the first time since December 16 is quite some achievement.
‘Fulham give you a real conundrum,’ said Rowett. ‘You want to be brave and press but they just wait for you to lose your shape.’
Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic urged his side to calm down after they fell behind to the header
The Cottagers dominated in the second half but faced a resilient Derby three-man defence
Crucially, Derby did not lose their shape. Fulham had so much ball, relatively neat with it, but lacked midfielders willing to run beyond Aleksandar Mitrovic. Possession rarely stuck with the Serbian, who came up against Davies in determined mood.
‘We took a gamble, leaving Curtis one against one with Mitrovic,’ said Rowett. ‘He’s so good at using his body and rolling. Defensively all game we handled them really well. You drop a little deeper and it’s hard to get out.’
That is made more palatable with a lead and it came on 34 minutes. The home crowd screamed for Tom Huddlestone to force the issue but he knew better, instead dinking a pass to Craig Forsyth on the left, who found enough time to weigh up his options.
The best one was Jerome lurking at the back post. The cross was whipped with pace, Jerome had the run on Matt Targett and Marcus Bettinelli was left fishing a thumping header from his net.
Home supporters desperately tried to spur their side on as pressure began to mount late on
Derby boss Gary Rowett cut an animated figure as he tried to halt the stream of Fulham attacks
Jerome’s upturn in form has coincided with Derby’s. There had been a threat of missing out on the top six altogether following a wretched run of two wins in 13.
The late rally, preventing Preston from usurping them, came at just the right time.
So did Jerome’s header and from there it was about defending the lead. Fulham’s half chances came and went.
‘It’s not a bad result,’ said Jokanovic. ‘We didn’t deserve it, though. We cannot be frustrated, we have to be confident. They had one shot and scored. It was a very good performance.’
It might have been better given Kevin McDonald thundered Carson’s bar from distance and the Derby goalkeeper then swatted away Tom Cairney’s vicious swing of the left foot.
Floyd Ayite somehow conspired to volley over Targett’s exquisite cross.
Nerves abounded. Rowett cried in anguish as Derby dropped deeper. Substitute David Nugent acted as an auxiliary coach on the touchline before his introduction. They just survived.
‘We’re going to try and be more clinical than this,’ said Jokanovic. ‘It’s a dangerous score for us and dangerous for them, too. We must trust that we can change the story.’