The Tanner Report: Derby 2 Fulham 1

Fulham last night failed to get over the promotion line with their second consecutive defeat.

Those fans with long memories recall going to the old Baseball ground of Derby  in 1983 for a match that – had Fulham won we would have been promoted to the top flight and Derby relegated.

There was a toxic atmosphere and 15 minutes before the end Derby fans ringed the pitch. Our Robert Wilson was kicked by one of them.

The referee blew for offside – not for full time – which prompted a full scale pitch invasion.

The teams left the pitch but play was not resumed.

The score of Derby 1 Fulham 0 stood despite Fulham’s objections that the rules clearly state the full 90 minutes and any extra time must be played.

So victory last night would have been sweet revenge but it was not to be.

To be fair Derby, suffering a 21 point deduction, played with spirit whilst Fulham – after a first half goal from Fabio Carvalho – lacked intensity.

We had a few chances which landed to Alex Mitrovic who failed to direct his headers with sufficient power.

It now looks like Preston on Tuesday night will be the promotion clincher.

Another irony, as in 1971 Fulham only needed to beat Preston to win the third division championship but muffled their lines, losing 0-1.