COLIN TODD began life as manager of Derby
County with a torrid baptism by the banks of the River Thames last night.
Having led twice in this Worthington Cup tie, Derby slumped to their fourth
successive defeat in humiliating fashion.
Craig Burley gave Derby the lead and, after Barry Hayles had levelled, Fabrizio
Ravanelli put the visitors back in front. But further goals from Sylvain
Legwinski, John Collins and substitutes Louis Saha and Steed Malbranque
sent Fulham cruising into the fourth round.
Last season, Saha scored twice in the 3-2 win that saw Derby similarly
dispatched by Fulham, then in the First Division and County must have
been initially relieved to discover the Frenchman had been rested on the
bench along with Dutch international goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar.
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John
Collins enjoys himself at Fulham
Fulham |
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Todd's first selection since he took over the helm from Jim Smith two days
earlier showed four changes from the side beaten 2-0 by Arsenal. Todd was
able to recall captain Burley following a two-match absence caused by a
calf injury while also included were Deon Burton, Daniele Daino and Youl
Mawene.
Todd retained the 3-5-2 formation preferred by Smith as Derby looked
to halt a run of three successive defeats. Having failed to exert much
pressure early on, however, they surprised the home side by taking a 19th-minute
lead. Seth Johnson, who is reportedly up for sale as Derby seek to ease
their financial problems, sent a well-weighted cross from the left which
Fulham made a mess of clearing.
Fabrizio Ravanelli failed to make contact with his head but the ball
fell unexpectedly to Burley and the Scottish international gratefully
hooked it beyond Maik Taylor.
Fulham had a chance to level six minutes later when Lee Clark sent John
Collins forward but the former Scotland midfielder's cross was wasted,
with not a single team-mate on hand to meet it.
Soon after Collins swung over an inswinging corner and Legwinski directed
a firm header towards the top right-hand corner only for Andy Oakes to
produce an athletic leap and tip the ball round a post.
Steve Marlet, making only his second start since his £11.5 million
arrival from Lyon, went even closer as he turned to shoot from 15 yards
and Oakes pushed the ball on to an upright.
Fulham finally claimed the equaliser they deserved in the 37th minute
when Hayles ran on to a Legwinski cross, Burley failed to clear and the
striker finished in style, steering the ball into the bottom corner for
his third goal of the season.
In first-half added time, Oakes prevented Fulham going in front with
a flying save to block a shot from Clark. What was developing into an
exciting contest really came to life in the early part of the second half
when Derby regained the lead only for Fulham to equalise immediately.
A superb cross from Daino in the 55th minute was nudged beyond Taylor
by Ravanelli for his fourth goal of the season but, within a minute, Fulham
were level when, from Brevett's left-wing cross, Legwinski stole between
two defenders to plant a firm header beyond Oakes.
Six minutes later Fulham went ahead for the first time, a free-kick from
30 yards by Collins striking Chris Riggott's body and deflecting past
Oakes.
Fulham were now in total charge and, within four minutes of replacing
Marlet, Saha produced a delightful finish to claim Fulham's fourth and
goal No 5 came from a penalty with 10 minutes to go, Johnson fouling Luis
Boa Morte and Malbranque netting the spot-kick.
Fulham:
Taylor, Finnan, Brevett, Melville, Knight, Legwinski (Boa Morte 70), Collins,
Clark (Saha 66), Davis, Marlet (Malbranque 66), Hayles.
Subs Not Used: Van der Sar, Goldbaek.
Booked: Brevett, Davis.
Goals: Hayles 37, Legwinski 56, Collins 62, Saha 71, Malbranque 81
pen.
Derby:
Oakes, Riggott, Powell, Burley, Johnson, Higginbotham, Mawene, Murray (Christie
74), Daino, Burton, Ravanelli.
Subs Not Used: Elliott, Boertien, Valakari, Grant.
Booked: Powell.
Goals: Burley 19, Ravanelli 55.
Att: 9,217 Ref: G Barber (Tring). |