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Derby gain edge over Fulham in race for EPL promotion

C'SHIP PLAY-OFF:
S-FINAL, L1
DERBY COUNTY FULHAM
1 0
(Cameron Jerome 34)  

Derby County took a step towards returning to the English Premier League after 10 years in the Championship as a Cameron Jerome header gave them a 1-0 home win over Fulham in the first leg of their play-off semi-final on Saturday morning (Singapore time).

Jerome rose above his marker in the 34th minute to meet an excellent cross by left-back Craig Forsyth and power it past goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli to give Derby the lead against the run of play.

It was the first effort on target by either side.

Fulham, who were eliminated in each of their three previous Championship play-off semis and failed to win a single match in the process, dominated but were let down by poor finishing.

Kevin McDonald rattled the crossbar from 20 metres in the 53rd minute and winger Floyd Ayite volleyed inches over the bar shortly afterwards as the visitors piled on the pressure.

Midfielder Tom Cairney twice went close, shooting just wide in the 87th minute after Derby goalkeeper Scott Carson had palmed away his stinging long-range effort.

The return leg is at Fulham’s Craven Cottage in London on Tuesday morning (Singapore time).

Middlesbrough are at home to Aston Villa in the first leg of the other semi-final on Sunday morning (Singapore time), with the return fixture in Birmingham three days later.

The winners of the two ties will meet at Wembley on May 26 to decide the final promotion spot, with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff City having already secured automatic promotion to the English Premier League. – REUTERS

Derby CountyFULHAM