Championship - Play-offs - 2nd Leg
FulhamFulham2DerbyDerby County0

Fulham 2-0 Derby County (Agg 2-1)

By Gary SmeeBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Championshipcomments272

Ryan Sessegnon goal
Ryan Sessegnon has scored 16 goals in the Championship this season

Fulham booked their place in the Championship play-off final at Wembley as they overturned a first-leg deficit by beating Derby at Craven Cottage.

Trailing 1-0 from the game at Pride Park, goals from Ryan Sessegnon and Denis Odoi put the hosts through.

Teenager Sessegnon fired into the roof of the net from close range, before Odoi flicked in a header from a corner.

Aleksandar Mitrovic and Aboubakar Kamara had chances to add further goals, as the Rams created little.

Slavisa Jokanovic's side - beaten play-off semi-finalists last season - will play either Aston Villa or Middlesbrough in the final on Saturday, 26 May.

Having struggled to break down Derby in the first leg, Fulham demonstrated why they are unbeaten at home since October with a display full of flowing, attacking football.

The Rams frustrated their opponents during the first half with Scott Carson superbly saving Mitrovic's close-range header, and it was not until after the break Fulham made their dominance count.

The Cottagers find out who they will face in the final on Tuesday, when Villa take a one-goal advantage over Boro back to the West Midlands.

Fulham finally end play-off hoodoo

Victory in the semi-finals ends a run of seven play-off games without a win for Fulham.

In 2016-17, Reading defeated the west London side 2-1 on aggregate, but they are now one match away from a return to the Premier League for the first time since relegation in 2014.

It will also be the Whites' first visit to Wembley since 1975 when they were beaten by West Ham in the FA Cup Final.

Denis Odoi
Denis Odoi was held aloft by Fulham fans at full-time

Fulham finished third in the Championship and 13 points ahead of Derby, only missing out on automatic promotion because of a final-day loss at Birmingham.

But their form at Craven Cottage has been magnificent since the turn of the year, scoring more goals at home than any other side in 2018.

And they became only the second team out of 17 in a Championship play-off to lose the opening tie and then go through.

Derby will now spend an 11th successive season in the second tier despite reaching the play-offs in three of the past five campaigns.

Should England take a gamble on Sessegnon?

In Sessegnon, Fulham have one of the outstanding young talents in England.

The Championship Player of the Season, who turns 18 on Friday, has been touted as an outside contender for a place in Gareth Southgate's 23-man squad for the World Cup in Russia.

Ryan Sessegnon should go to World Cup - Mark Lawrenson

The left-footed winger was kept quiet in Friday's first leg, but this time was instrumental in most things Fulham did in the final third.

He had already seen a shot well saved by Carson before the break when found in space by Kamara, but made no mistake from Stefan Johansen's chest down just two minutes into the second half.

Fulham's leading scorer has now netted 22 times in 80 career appearances, despite spending most of his first season playing from left-back.

England's squad will be announced on Wednesday.

Reaction - 'The fans did a crucial job'

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic told BBC London:

"I must be very satisfied personally, for my players and the fans. We made a great step and will bring the team to Wembley after 43 years.

"We believe in our way and the team have showed their confidence. It is a fantastic achievement.

"We will play the final and know that people only remember the team who wins the game.

"We must enjoy this moment and be happy, especially for our fans as they pushed us all year at home and did a crucial job for us tonight too."

Derby manager Gary Rowett told BBC Radio Derby:

"The way we performed was the most disappointing thing for us. I think it's very easy to be critical, but I don't think that's the right thing to do.

"I think the players over the two legs have given everything and worked incredibly hard.

"We've tried everything, we've had a go, we're disappointed. Sometimes you've got to handle that disappointment and move on.

"Three out of the four teams are going to be disappointed at the end of these play-offs and unfortunately we're the first ones."

Line-ups

Fulham

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1BettinelliBooked at 90mins
  • 2Fredericks
  • 4Odoi
  • 13Ream
  • 21TargettSubstituted forKalasat 76'minutes
  • 10CairneySubstituted forNorwoodat 90+1'minutes
  • 6McDonaldBooked at 78mins
  • 8JohansenBooked at 62mins
  • 47KamaraBooked at 74mins
  • 32Mitrovic
  • 3R Sessegnon

Substitutes

  • 9Fonte
  • 11Ayité
  • 16Norwood
  • 20Piazon
  • 22Christie
  • 26Kalas
  • 27Button

Derby

Formation 3-4-2-1

  • 1Carson
  • 6Keogh
  • 33Davies
  • 3Forsyth
  • 14Wisdom
  • 44HuddlestoneBooked at 77mins
  • 15Johnson
  • 8AnyaSubstituted forVydraat 67'minutes
  • 10LawrenceSubstituted forPalmerat 67'minutesBooked at 78mins
  • 19Weimann
  • 32JeromeSubstituted forNugentat 75'minutes

Substitutes

  • 7Palmer
  • 16Pearce
  • 21Roos
  • 23Vydra
  • 26Hanson
  • 28Nugent
  • 36Ledley
Referee:
Chris Kavanagh
Attendance:
23,529

Match Stats

Home TeamFulhamAway TeamDerby
Possession
Home64%
Away36%
Shots
Home20
Away14
Shots on Target
Home10
Away1
Corners
Home9
Away6
Fouls
Home7
Away8

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Fulham 2, Derby County 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Fulham 2, Derby County 0.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. Richard Keogh (Derby County) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Andre Wisdom with a cross.

  4. Post update

    Attempt blocked. David Nugent (Derby County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Curtis Davies with a headed pass.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham).

  6. Post update

    Richard Keogh (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  7. Booking

    Marcus Bettinelli (Fulham) is shown the yellow card.

  8. Post update

    Attempt missed. Matej Vydra (Derby County) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kasey Palmer.

  9. Post update

    Aboubakar Kamara (Fulham) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  10. Post update

    Foul by Tom Huddlestone (Derby County).

  11. Substitution

    Substitution, Fulham. Oliver Norwood replaces Tom Cairney.

  12. Post update

    Tomas Kalas (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  13. Post update

    Foul by Andreas Weimann (Derby County).

  14. Post update

    Attempt missed. David Nugent (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Bradley Johnson.

  15. Post update

    Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  16. Post update

    Foul by Bradley Johnson (Derby County).

  17. Post update

    Corner, Fulham. Conceded by Craig Forsyth.

  18. Post update

    Attempt saved. Stefan Johansen (Fulham) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Tom Cairney.

  19. Post update

    Attempt saved. Stefan Johansen (Fulham) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Aleksandar Mitrovic.

  20. Booking

    Kevin McDonald (Fulham) is shown the yellow card.

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Comments

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272 comments

  • Comment posted by GeeBee, at 21:47 14 May 2018

    Well done Fulham. Justice done tonight 13 points better than Derby over the season and it comes down to 1 goal

  • Comment posted by Hughmungus, at 22:13 14 May 2018

    Derby supporter here.

    Never agreed with the play offs, and never will. How can points count if you finish first or second, but are worthless if you finish third ???

    Well done Fulham, you deserve it, Now just make sure you go all the way.

  • Comment posted by Keith, at 22:10 14 May 2018

    As a Fulham fan I am over the moon however that dive by Kamara was inexcusable. Discrace to try and get the keeper sent off in that situation

  • Comment posted by CANTONA IS GOD, at 22:06 14 May 2018

    So glad Fulham won and I hope they go up.

    The play-offs are a big farce, the team who finished 3rd after 46 games deserve to go up.

  • Comment posted by otiger, at 21:54 14 May 2018

    Congratulations Fulham. You're a very good team and will stay in the Prem.

    Proud of Derby. Very brave but it was a tough ask.

    Ewe Rams!!!

  • Comment posted by JohnnyD, at 22:16 14 May 2018

    As a Derby fan, always tough to take but the better team won over the two legs. Simple as that.

  • Comment posted by John Prescott , at 21:56 14 May 2018

    Fulham deserved it overall, but some of their antics were terrible.

  • Comment posted by Eddy, at 22:38 14 May 2018

    Sessegnon and Shelvey should be shoo ins for Russia but you just know our dull old FA yes man of a manager won’t take either.

  • Comment posted by Fatboy , at 06:09 15 May 2018

    As a derby fan... Fulham were the much better side - good luck

  • Comment posted by George Kaplan, at 06:14 15 May 2018

    177

    'Should have gone up instead of Cardiff'

    Should have got more points then

  • Comment posted by northender66, at 05:58 15 May 2018

    Well done Fulham. Having seen all four play-off contenders play against Preston this season, Fulham were by far the best side. Lovely fans too. Hope they’re watching PL football next season.

  • Comment posted by 2112col, at 22:16 14 May 2018

    These play offs need stopping go back to 3 down 3 up . Teams finishing many points behind and still going up is a farce

  • Comment posted by topcat, at 21:50 14 May 2018

    Hopefully Fulham as the 2nd best footballing side in the lge will win the final.

  • Comment posted by Will, at 06:54 15 May 2018

    As a Derby fan, I thought Fulham were outstanding last night and totally deserved to win by at least two goals. Amazing attaching, flight and creative side. Derby held their own but there was clearly a gulf in quality between the two teams.

  • Comment posted by Wayne, at 21:59 14 May 2018

    I'd really like to see Ryan Sessegnon gets into the England WC squad, he's certainly worth giving a fair chance to, he's young, attack minded and has such potential.

    Well done FFC, win one more big game for a great season and back to the premier league. Hopefully you'll get there and finish ahead of Spurs

  • Comment posted by Stephen, at 06:16 15 May 2018

    Well done to Fulham.On a different issue it is always good to hear from Gary Rowett who is honest, & sportsmanlike, after each game...win or lose.He offers praise, & never " slags" off. A good role model manager, unlike several who bitch, moan,& blame either their own players or the ref for everything. Good luck Gary & Derby for next season.

  • Comment posted by Glad All Over - CPFC, at 22:57 14 May 2018

    Fulham the better side tonight but two things really irked me about this game.

    1) Kamara dived to get an opponent sent off when he could have just kept on running and scored and killed Derby off

    2) Shortly afterwards Fredericks is fouled, stays on his feet but loses the ball and no free kick.

    If referees gave fouls for point 2), the diving in point 1) wouldn’t happen.

  • Comment posted by neutral hammer, at 23:10 14 May 2018

    Well done Fulham, a well deserved victory for attacking football.

  • Comment posted by Large Hound, at 05:30 15 May 2018

    Fair play to Fulham, better side over two legs and probably the best side in the whole league for the second half of the season. Gutted to see Derby didn't progress but it would have been undeserving based on the performances.

    Still a fan of the play-offs though, adds a bit of excitement to the end of the season.

  • Comment posted by the royal blue optimist, at 21:58 14 May 2018

    Well done Fulham you deserve it, promotion that is, so hopefully you perform when it matters in the final, good luck from a Birmingham fan.

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