Derby County put an end to Fulham’s Premier League promotion celebrations by coming back from a goal behind to win a critical match by 2-1 that kept their own slim hopes of escaping relegation alive.

Thanks to Fabio Carvalho’s well-taken opening, Fulham were on pace for a win that would have sealed an automatic return to the top division with five games to spare.

However, five minutes into the second half, 19-year-old Luke Plange equalized for the hosts before Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo put Tom Lawrence’s cross-shot into his own net.

Realistically, the victory is unlikely to impact the narrative of the season, since Fulham still only need three points to get a promotion, and a single defeat in Derby’s next four games will send Reading down with only a point.

However, in front of potential new owner Chris Kirchner, the result highlighted the battle that continues in a club that should provide manager Wayne Rooney with some much-needed stability in the coming weeks.

Fulham have now lost three games in a row for the first time this season, and this setback will be particularly painful because it appeared so unlikely for the first 45 minutes.

Marco Silva’s team had too much for their opponents despite never being at their best.

Carvalho’s finish after a one-two with Bobby Decordova-Reid demonstrated why Jurgen Klopp wants the Portuguese youth to join Liverpool, and he would have had two if Ryan Allsop hadn’t made an outstanding save.

After halftime, Allsop made a flying stop to deny 38-goal Aleksandar Mitrovic, and the Serb had a goal disallowed for offside when he tucked home the rebound of a Carvalho shot that struck the base of a post.

Derby had equalized by that point, thanks to Plange’s finish after a fluid play that included homegrown duo Liam Thompson and Lee Buchanan.

Although Derby’s victory was partly down to luck, Plange deserves credit for putting Tosin under strain.

In a tense finish, Malcolm Ebiowei tested Marek Rodak with a long-range shot before Harrison Reid’s injury-time shot was deflected over as Derby held on for a remarkable victory.