WAYNE ROONEY marked his 500th career English league performance by tucking home his first ever Panenka penalty.

But Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic spoilt the ex-England skipper's party with a superb leveller to put the visitors third, helped by Marek Rodak defying Derby with three superb saves.


Manchester United and Everton legend Roo keeps delivering at the age of 34.

And he told Sky Sports afterwards: "I thought it was a great game of football to watch, with chances as both ends.

"Their goalkeeper made some great saves and a draw is probably a fair result.

"I'm always nervous before penalties. I've never done that (a Panenka) in my career.

"I know goalkeepers study penalties so I tried something different and thankfully it went in."

There was no doubting who would be taking the penalty after Fulham defender Tim Ream handled.

CHEEKY CHIP

Up Rooney stepped to this time send a cheeky chip down the middle for Derby’s 55th-minute opener.

But Mitrovic got Scott Parker’s men on terms 16 minutes later with a hooked volley to finish a superb cross from sub Abou Kamara.

Early on, Ream gave the ball away and was lucky not to be punished as Tom Lawrence won possession and saw a blistering shot pushed wide by Rodak.

Lawrence then toe-poked a brilliant Rooney pass straight into the arms of the Fulham keeper.

The Rams had a great chance when Craig Forsyth produced a cross that just evaded Martin Waghorn.

Matthew Clarke then forced Rodak into a superb save after shooting on the stretch from Rooney’s overhit free-kick.
Fulham – who had not posed an attacking threat – finally mustered an effort after 28 minutes.

Bobby Reid made Craig Forsyth look a fool on the right before delivering a great cross that Mitrovic headed straight at Ben Hamer.

However it needed a top save from Rodak to keep out Lawrence’s well-hit low shot from just inside the box after he was teed up by Max Bird.

Rooney nearly scored direct from a corner. There no doubt he was trying to score from the flag kick, going straight at goal in windy conditions, and Rodak was just able to punch clear from under his bar.

But Derby moved into a 55th-minute lead when Curtis Davies intercepted possession after Joe Bryan gave the ball away clearing.

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