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.
Ex-England skipper Wayne Rooney celebrates his 500th league game in England with a Panenka spot-kick to put Derby 1-0 upCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Martyn Waghorn helps Wayne Rooney celebrate his cheeky penalty opener on a landmark appearanceCredit: PA:Press Association
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.
Aleksandar Mitrović hails his equaliser, enough to lift Fulham a place to thirdCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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.
He played the ball into the bath of Waghorn, who turned in the box with the ball striking Tim Ream on the hand for the ref to award a penalty.
And Rooney made no mistake by dinking the ball down the middle.
Yet Fulham were back on terms in the 71st-minute. After great work from Ivan Cavaleiro, the ball broke to Kamara on the right flank to fire in a superb cross for Mitrovic to do the rest.
Bobby Reid could have put the Londoners in front by dragged an effort wide on the turn from 16 yard then Cavaleiro shot wide from the edge of the box.
But Rooney down the other end saw his volley deflected over off Denis Odoi and then Bird saw a snap shot palmed wide by Rodak.
And the Fulham keeper made an unbelievable stop to keep out a Jack Marriott effort off the line right at the death.
“It’s 500 but there’s more to come but I’ll celebrate when I stop playing.
Wayne Rooney reveals gambling affected performances after blowing huge amount of cash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
