Wayne Rooney is still having a big influence even though his slightly more advanced role means he is getting closed down much quicker than he has been in recent weeks.

The ex-England captain starts a move which leads to a Derby corner....

Tom Lawrence again.

This time the winger comes back inside on to his right foot from the left after a slick move when it looked easier to go on to his left.

But he still gets a shot away, which is brilliantly saved by Fulham keeper Marek Rodak who dives low to his left.

Fulham have raised their game in the last few minutes. Scott Parker's side are suddenly playing at a better tempo and Derby are no longer finding it as easy to stop them creating space out wide.

But there really haven't been many chances for either team.

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See 22 mins. The Fulham strikers are Bobby and Aleks from now on.

Neither are involved as Denis Odoi comes forward for a corner but can only direct an effort wide at the near post.

Fulham are having the better of the possession, but there's been a bit more threat about the hosts so far.

Fulham finally get an effort on target, but it's pretty tame from Aleksandar Mitrovic, who cannot get the power on a Bobby Decordova-Reid cross as he moves backwards and nods it straight at the Derby keeper.

Tushar Vyas: THAT Rooney off the shin bicycle kick goal in the Manchester derby, matched by the celebration, Old Trafford celebration and Nani hug!

Matthew Lovegrove: Perhaps you could say Rooney's halfway line goal against West Ham

Rob: Wayne Rooney’s best moment? Probably as seen on TV first ... Everton Vs Arsenal ... with that Clive Tyldsley commentary ... “Remember the name, Wayne Rooney!” Shame he couldn’t play well for England at the moments when it really mattered.

Steve: Has to be the goal from his own half in his second stint for Everton. Underrated because of the overhead kick against City while he was at United.

We're asking for your favourite Wayne Rooney moments tonight as he is making his 500th appearance in English league football.

Fulham relieve the pressure for a few moments but Aleksandar Mitrovic is crowded out and Derby clear their lines.

Joe Bryan then finally looks to have wriggled free on the left and is clear to get to a cross in, only to be flagged offside.

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Brilliant stuff from Matt Clarke who stretches a leg out like Mr Tickle and brings down Wayne Rooney's overhit free-kick.

The defender then stretches to get a shot away but keeper Marek Rodak makes a vital stop as Martyn Waghorn would have had a simple task of tapping it into the net.

In the same way players seek special dispensation to wear masks or casts (see Gary Lineker 1986), I have asked if Bobby Decordova-Reid can just be Bobby for the night. I am seeking a ruling from above on Aleksandar Mitrovic as Alex too.

Am sort of pretending they are both Brazilian.

Not sure I will get away with the latter. Maybe I will with Bobby.

Moments later and Craig Forsyth sends another decent ball into the six-yard box, after another good pass from Wayne Rooney, but it just eludes the lunging Martyn Waghorn.

Derby are having a good spell here.

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That's a wonderful cross by Craig Forsyth.

Inevitably Wayne Rooney is involved as he helps work the ball to the left-back, who then delivers a lovely cross that causes more than a few nervy moments in the Fulham box.

Joe Bryan manages to clear but Derby keep the pressure on...

Tom Lawrence has had the only chances of note so far. The Rams winger was laughably off target with the first, then unlucky with a deflected strike and unable to get a good contact with the best chance of the lot soon after.

Joe Bryan has seen a bit of the ball on the left but Fulham cannot work him free enough to ping in a cross. Derby have looked nice and solid so far. The visitors are probing without success.

It's all a bit too predictable at the moment.

Tom Lawrence has another sight of goal for the Rams, but the Welshman cannot get a proper contact on Wayne Rooney's delicious low, inswinging cross from the left and Marek Rodak fields it easily.

A really good chance that.

That's better from Tom Lawrence

Bobby Decordova-Reid loses possession on the edge of his own box ending with Lawrence smashing a shot just wide. It was deflected for a corner though....

Some decent approach play from Fulham with Bobby Decordova-Reid and Aleksandar Mitrovic both involved as a shooting chance is fashioned for Stefan Johansen.

But it's well blocked by Graeme Shinnie.

Fulham show for the first time, retaining possession for a spell but not really getting anywhere against a well-set Derby defence.

Tom Lawrence is lethal from the edge of the area. On this occasion, only to passing pedestrians outside Pride Park.

The Derby winger spanks the ball out of the ground after the ball is worked to him on the edge of the box from the set-piece.

Derby have an early corner....

Away we go. Fulham, in red, get us up and running.