Coleman expecting Derby to deliver in Premiership; Fulham 4 Derby 2.

Byline: TERENCE OWEN

FULHAM manager Chris Coleman admitted he is expecting to meet Derby again in the Premiership next season after they gave his side a major FA Cup scare.

George Burley's Championship side gave an excellent account of themselves in the two ties, losing 4-2 in extra time, and can count themselves unlucky not to still be involved in the competition.

However the Rams - who are already in the play-off zone - did enough to suggest they are serious contenders for promotion to the Premiership this season as they completely outplayed Fulham at times.

Coleman admitted: ``I'm a big fan of George Burley and the way his teams play - that's the right way to play the game - and he's done a really good job to turn things around.

``They are one of the strongest teams in their league and if they carry on playing the way they did against us then they can certainly go up. ''

Having got through this difficult hurdle Coleman could not resist looking further ahead to their fifth-round tie at Bolton on Saturday and is eyeing a possible tilt at silverware. He added: ``Well Millwall made it to the final last year so that must mean there's a realistic chance for a club like Fulham. ''

Grzegorz Rasiak put Derby ahead early on and Derby dominated the first half only to be pegged back when Papa Bouba Diop scored from the spot after Michael Johnson handled. Luis Boa Morte put Fulham ahead but Paul Peschisolido came off the bench to level against his former club and force the tie into extra time but goals from Collins John and Claus Jensen finally settled it.

CAPTION(S):

Fulham's Collins John