Derby County 2-0 Fulham

Tim Ream's own goal gave Derby the lead as Fulham were having their best spell in the match

Derby County moved to the top of the Championship table as Tim Ream's unfortunate own goal set them on their way to victory over Fulham.

Johnny Russell was the source of the second-half opener when his cross created confusion in the penalty box and found the net via centre-half Ream.

And Jacob Butterfield's cool late strike sealed the win late on.

The result ensures the hosts go a point clear of Middlesbrough, whose game at Blackburn was postponed.

Derby, unbeaten in seven games and chasing a third consecutive league victory, posed the greater danger before the break, playing with greater urgency and more cohesion.

But they were unable to create many clear openings against a Fulham side who have now gone nine games without a win.

Ince, who grabbed a hat-trick in the thumping win over Bristol City, was the most likely creator, dinking a great chance over the bar and also failing to connect with a long-range strike.

Although Fulham, who remain 18th but are now just three points above the relegation places, had less of the ball, the excellent Alex Kacaniklic twice forced saves from keeper Lee Grant.

Just as the visitors began to settle after the interval, Derby went ahead when Russell beat two men and his pull-back was turned in to his own net by Ream.

Both sides had chances after that with Russell opting to try to find Chris Martin when through on goal and Butterfield blasting an effort off target.

Ross McCormack had the London side's best opportunity but, after showing some neat skills on the edge of the box, he shot narrowly wide.

With the game increasingly open, Derby made the points safe when Butterfield exchanged passes with Martin and just managed to beat keeper Andy Lonergan.

Substitute Darren Bent almost made it 3-0 in injury time but his strike hit the bar.

Derby boss Paul Clement:

"(Derby's) 47 points is an impressive total, particularly after the start we had. Maybe we have surprised ourselves. I have to be very pleased with that tally.

"But on today's game I did not think we played well. They frustrated us and we did not have the rhythm, tempo or fluidity we have seen.

"I wanted them to do the things I asked them to do before the game. One of those was using the width of the pitch."

Fulham senior coach Stuart Gray:

"The disappointing thing is I said at half-time, it's not as if Derby are cutting us up. It was all self-inflicted by us giving the ball away.

"And we had two or three chances to get our noses in front. To concede the goal as we did was poor defending.

"It was the story of our life with a double deflection. We then had to chase the game and Derby are one of the best counter-attacking sides.

"I said to the players, 'you cannot use that (manager uncertainty) as an excuse' and they won't do. You cannot fault the commitment of the players at the moment."

Tom Ince had Derby's best two chances before the break but fired over when through on goal with his second opportunity

Paul Clement's Derby side are now unbeaten in seven