Fulham 0 - 0 Derby County
A disappointing afternoon down by the Thames, as Fulham's flair was nullified by Derby's determination.
In fine conditions for football, with bright sunshine illuminating a perfect playing surface, the game ended with no goals and precious few moments to remember.

Chants of 'boring, boring Derby' rang out from the home supporters, but in truth those fans who have watched Fulham have it all their own way during their swift ascent to the Premiership in recent years had better get used to the fact that plenty more teams are going to come to Craven Cottage with the sole intention of 'doing a job'.

Like a down-at-heel trattoria , most of the tasty dishes Derby had to offer were off the menu. Horatio Carbonari, Stefano Eranio and Fabrizio Ravanelli were all absent, the latter with a back strain picked up in training on Thursday, but even without those three, Derby still managed to match the passing game favoured by Fulham.

It took them a while to get into their rhythm - indeed the game did not really take off until Giorgi Kinkladze replaced Malcolm Christie in the 38th minute - but once Derby started passing with confidence, they began to create chances.

Kinkladze had barely been on the pitch a minute before he curled a shot just wide of the Fulham goal. Minutes later Seth Johnson played a neat exchange of passes with the Georgian in a storming run that ended with a long shot that shaved the outside of the post. Youngster Paul Boertien had a dipping volley tipped over by Edwin Van Der Sar, who also saved a shot from a tight angle by Deon Burton.

Fulham had started the brighter, with Louis Saha just failing to convert a low Barry Hayles cross in front of goal, John Collins going close with a couple of free-kicks and Barry Hayles earning his side's best chance with a long-range shot that was just tipped away by stand-in goalkeeper Andy Oakes.

Jean Tigana has insisted admirably in playing the passing game that won them the First Division title last season and it worked well against Sunderland and Manchester United. It did not quite come off here, principally because the final pass too often let them down, but also because Derby were well-organised and worked hard at closing their opponents down.

The teenager Sean Davis looked impressive in the centre of Fulham's midfield, but he lacked the guile that Kinkladze gave Derby once Christie limped off with a hamstring strain.

Fulham's approach play was more intricate and at times over-elaborate, although Davis stung the hands of Oakes with a fierce free-kick from 25 yards and Goldbaek volleyed high over the bar before being replaced by Sylvain Legwinski, the French midfielder signed earlier this week from Bordeaux.

Fulham had a couple of late chances in an increasingly crowded Derby penalty box, Barry Hayles and Kit Symons both missing with headers when perhaps they should have done better.

But a worse culprit was Steed Malbranque, who should have put Fulham ahead when he was given a clear run on goal in the 85th minute. The Frenchman's first touch was good enough, but his second pushed the ball too far ahead of himself and allowed Oakes to make a smothering save.

Fulham:
Van Der Sar; Finnnan, Melville, Goma (Symons 14), Brevett; Goldbaek (Legwinski 65), Davis, Malbranque, Collins (Harley 65); Saha, Hayles. Subs not used: Taylor, Betsy

Derby:
Oakes; O'Neil, Riggott , Higginbotham; Mawene (Murray 83), Burley, Powell, Johnson, Boertien; Christie (Kinkladze 37), Burton.

Subs not used: Grant, Morris, Danio

Referee: Mike Dean