Fulham needed extra-time to overcome Derby County but goals from Collins John and Claus Jensen saw the Whites through to the FA Cup fifth round.
Chris Coleman’s side had struggled in the original tie against Championship opposition and it was the same here as Gregorz Rasiak gave George Burley’s side an early lead. The Premiership outfit equalised on the cusp of half-time through Papa Bouba Diop’s spot-kick after Michael Johnson had been penalised for handball and Luis Boa Morte put the hots ahead in the second half. Former former favourite Paul Peschisolido took the tie into extra time but Derby had to play with ten men after Johnson went off injured when they had used all their substitutes and John and Jensen made sure Fulham fully exploited their numerical advantage.
Tommy Smith, who proved a handful in the first meeting at Pride Park, whipped in a dangerous cross for Rasiak to send a sizeable travelling contingent into raptures and Burley’s side kept pushing forward as they confidently dominated the first twenty minutes. Rasiak struck a post with a header and Morten Bisgaard almost doubled the line with a blast from long range. It took Fulham more than half an hour to register a shot on target but the Londoners levelled just before half-time when Johnson slipped in trying to make a tackle and handled the ball on the floor. Diop stepped forward and planted the penalty impressively into the top right hand corner.
The hosts were much improved after the break and Lee Camp had to make a splendid save to prevent Boa Morte from scoring a firm header. Lee Clark became increasingly influential in midfield and he threaded a lovely through ball between the Derby defenders that allowed Boa Morte to lash Fulham in front. Derby didn’t wilt as Bisgaard again tested van der Sar from distance and substitute Peschisolido, who scored thirty goals in four years at Craven Cottage, punished some sloppy defending to poke home an equaliser with four minutes of normal time remaining.
Fulham dominated extra time and went back in front when Dutch teenager John turned cleverly in the area and fired a left-footed drive beyond Camp. Jensen booked a trip to Bolton in round five when he strolled clear of a stretched Derby defence to put Fulham finally out of sight with his first goal for the club.
FULHAM (4-3-3): van der Sar; Rosenior, Bocanegra, Rehman (Goma 45), Knight; Diop, Clark, Legwinski (Jensen 102); Radzinski, Boa Morte, Cole (John 80). Subs (not used): Crossley, McBride.
BOOKED: Bocanegra.
GOALS: Diop (pen 45), Boa Morte (50), John (94), Jensen (105).
DERBY COUNTY (4-4-2): Camp, Kenna, Mills, Johnson, Boertien, Tudgay, Bisgaard, Idiakez, Bolder (Peschisolido 83), Smith (Junior 28), Rasiak, Junior (Doyle 90). Subs (not used): Grant, Turner.
BOOKED: Doyle.
GOALS: Rasiak (4), Peschisolido (86).
REFEREE: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
ATTENDANCE: 15,528
