Niemi makes his point after Sanchez makes demand

Niemi,who was dropped by Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez earlier this season, returned to the side only because Kasey Keller picked up an injury in training on Friday.

And the manager was in no mood to thank his Finnish star even though the keeper had saved him from a hiding.Woeful Fulham, for whom Paul Konchesky was sent off, were booed off the pitch.

Sanchez said: "He earned his money and it's about time. He was dropped after he let in seven goals in three games, and only played because Keller has a slight tear in a tendon in his arm. I told him: "You are my No1, but you haven't done it this year, now show it.". And he did. But keepers are there to be used. They are not chocolate fireguards."

Niemi was the difference between the two struggling sides. He started his one-man show with a smart save to spare team-mate Aaron Hughes' blushes in the first half, when the Fulham defender almost headed into his own goal.

And the Finn came into his own after the break, following Konchesky's red card. The former England left-back was sent off in first-half stoppage time for elbowing Derby's Craig Fagan in the face. Fagan was clearly holding Konchesky but there was no excuse for the England defender's violent reaction. His manager was fully behind the referee.

"He had no choice," said Sanchez. Derby's attempts to capitalise on their advantage foundered thanks to Niemi's heroics.

Derby manager Billy Davies said: "We have come up against an inspired goalkeeping performance. We were unlucky because we deserved the points."