Derby frustrated by Cottagers

Billy Davies' Derby side were left frustrated at Craven Cottage, as ten-man Fulham held on for a 0-0 draw.

Konchesky off as Rams claim first away point

Billy Davies' Derby side were left frustrated at Craven Cottage, as ten-man Fulham held on for a 0-0 draw. The game was more thrilling than the scoreline suggests, as a number of chances in the second half passed both sides by. Fulham were left to thank Antti Niemi for his goalkeeping heroics, as he kept The Cottagers in the game on numerous occasions. Paul Konchesky was red carded late in the first half, as his swinging arm caught Craig Fagan after a challenge on the Fulham defender. It was Derby who created the first real opportunity of the game in the 13th minute when a clever pass from captain Matt Oakley was collected by Kenny Miller just inside the penalty area. However, the Derby striker's shot was palmed away by Niemi, much to the relief of the home defence. Moments later Niemi had to push away an effort from Eddie Lewis for a corner as Derby threatened to take control. But Fulham proved they were capable of causing Derby some danger on the counter-attack and Seol Ki-hyeon should have hit the target when he collected the ball unmarked on the edge of the penalty area. However, the Fulham midfielder saw his effort flash wide of Stephen Bywater's left-hand post. Fulham should have taken the lead in the 30th minute when an audacious chip from Steven Davis fell to Danny Murphy but the Fulham midfielder sent his shot straight into the arms of Bywater from eight yards. In the 33rd minute Derby nearly snatched the lead when Miller fed Stephen Pearson on the right flank and his cross was almost headed into his own net by Aaron Hughes. It took another stunning save from Niemi to keep Fulham on level terms. Fulham's afternoon got worse when Konchesky was red-carded for elbowing Fagan seconds before the break. Fagan received a booking for his part in the clash. In the 54th minute Niemi had to be at his best to push away a 25-yard thunderbolt from Oakley as Derby began to make their numerical advantage tell. Derby were completely in control and three minutes later Niemi had to save with his feet at point-blank range to deny Giles Barnes a headed opener. In the 59th minute Derby again went close but Pearson had a shot blocked and then sent his second effort over the crossbar. Bywater was forced into a rare save in the 61st minute when Fulham's Chris Baird let fly with a 25-yard effort. But the Derby goalkeeper collected the ball safely at the second attempt. Fulham's lack of cutting edge was underlined two minutes later when Clint Dempsey burst clear of the defence only for the ball to be cut out and run loose to Hameur Bouazza. The Algerian striker took the ball into the penalty area before firing it high into the crowd. But they were isolated chances and seconds later Derby were back in the ascendancy when Barnes forced Niemi into another sensational save with an 18-yard drive. But Fulham's Dempsey forced Bywater to tip his header over the bar in the 67th minute when Murphy's corner found him unmarked inside the penalty area. Niemi pulled off another fantastic save for Fulham in the 75th minute when Miller attempted to slot the ball beyond him at the near post. Miller then sent a shot just inches wide of the post in injury time with Niemi beaten for once. But it was their last chance of the game and the Rams had to settle for a point.

Fulham	Team Statistics	Derby County
0	Goals	0
0	1st Half Goals	0
8	Shots on Target	7
5	Shots off Target	5
3	Blocked Shots	1
6	Corners	8
9	Fouls	14
0	Offsides	1
0	Yellow Cards	2
1	Red Cards	0
66.8	Passing Success	62.5
15	Tackles	18
80	Tackles Success	100
47.4	Possession	52.6
52.4	Territorial Advantage	47.6