The Tanner Report: Derby 1 Fulham 1

Scott Parker likes to ring the changes.

So after the debacle of Barnsley out went Steven Sessegnon, Kevin McDonald and Ivan Cavaleiro.

Josh Onomah was injured.

Thank goodness keeper Marek Rodak, who was responsible for all three Barnsley goals, avoided the cull as he produced two all important first half shot saves.

Wayne Rooney aged 37 still rarely squanders possession with some precise radar-like passing all over the pitch.

Alex Mitrovic  might have been more involved in the first half.

Finding a reliable central partnership is a vital cornerstone of any team. Over the years we have had John Lacy and Bobby Moore, Roger Brown and Tony Gale, Kit Symons and Andy  Melville, Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes.

Now Michael Hector and Tim Ream seem to maintain this tradition.

However it was the accident prone Ream who handled in-the box which permitted Wayne Rooney in his 500th game to convert with a Panenka-style chip. I have noted that referees inthe Championship are more influenced by player reaction. Against Millwall the “in -your -face” aggression of their captain persuaded the refe that a palpably offside goal should stand. Last night the referee reversed a decision over a back pass. Ream was very close to the shot that struck his arm, he did not move his arm to the ball but he still accepted the decision passively   Had he clustered around the ref he might have changed it  it after consulting with other officicials. Sadly no VAR inthe Champiuonship which would have resolved this impartially.

Fulham then  rallied and it was a typical Mitrovic half-chance that levelled the score.

Rodak produced his fourth and best save with reflex scoop under he bar and in the end it was honours even.

Fulham have three more tough games against Bristol City away and Swansea and Preston at home before the month is out. The general  feeling is that if we are in third place at the end of February we will need the play offs to achieve promotion.