The Royals needed to better Fulham’s result to stay up, but Danny Murphy’s goal condemned them to the second tier.

Reading went ahead when James Harper curled a fine shot into the top corner.

Dave Kitson converted Leroy Lita’s cross, Kevin Doyle prodded in a third and Lita powered in a late header – but it was not enough for Reading.

The visitors were cruelly relegated on goal difference – a heartbreaking end to the season for Royals fans and manager Steve Coppell.

Kenny Miller gave Derby the lead when he controlled Roy Carroll’s long pass to finish beyond Brad Friedel.

But Roque Santa Cruz levelled after Carroll failed to deal with Morten Gamst Pedersen’s long-range effort.

Bad defending led to Jason Roberts’s second-half goal while Santa Cruz’s header secured the win for Rovers.

Victory over Derby and Wigan’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa ensures Rovers keep alive their slim hopes of qualifying for Europe via the Intertoto Cup.

A ludicrous Darren Moore mistake let Nicklas Bendtner fire in the first before Jay McEveley poked in to level.

Robin van Persie chested a cross down and lashed home and then Adebayor tapped in at the back post.

Robert Earnshaw slotted in for Derby, but Theo Walcott scored a fine solo goal before Adebayor slid in a cross and then rolled home in stoppage time.

A weak Dean Leacock challenge allowed Hammers striker Bobby Zamora to nod home on 25 minutes but Derby, showing rare creative intent, hit back.

Tyrone Mears powered a fine equaliser over Robert Green on 65 minutes and the Rams were looking likely winners.

But substitute Carlton Cole cushioned in a close-range volley 10 minutes later to leave the visitors desolate.

With just one win all campaign, morale-sapped Derby face the prospect of becoming the first club in English league football for 109 years with such a low total of victories.

Derby keeper Roy Carroll had a torrid first-half, failing to clear Ashley Young’s free-kick for Villa’s first.

John Carew drilled in seconds later before Stiliyan Petrov expertly lashed Carroll’s hideously skewed clearance into the top corner from 45 yards.

Gareth Barry slotted in after half-time then Gabriel Agbonlahor and Marlon Harewood tucked away to end the rout.

Yakubu stabbed over a gaping goal in the best chance of a poor first half which left the home fans frustrated.

Derby continued to scrap and a stinging David Jones drive from 25 yards forced a fine save from Everton’s Tim Howard.

But Leon Osman found space to collect a Manuel Fernandes pass and thump the winner on 56 minutes, though Everton’s lack of a second meant a tense finale.

Tito Villa deflected in Dean Leacock’s shot to give Derby the lead after 10 minutes, but Diomansy Kamara’s header put Fulham level 14 minutes later.

Fulham went back in front 12 minutes from time when Hameur Bouazza’s shot deflected in off the unwitting Leacock. Derby at least showed spirit to level two minutes later, Villa heading his second from Mile Sterjovski’s cross.

Tuncay ran on to George Boateng’s flick to shoot low into the corner and pile further misery on a Rams side who have won just one league game this season.

Boro had several good chances to double their lead after the break but the excellent Roy Carroll made fine saves to deny Jeremie Aliadiere and Boateng.

The visitors rallied late on and Rob Earnshaw almost headed an equaliser.

Wayne Rooney crossed for Ronaldo to volley home and spare United’s blushes.

Ronaldo hit the post in the first half but United had debutant keeper Ben Foster to thank for twice keeping out Kenny Miller just before the break.

After scoring the goal, Ronaldo skipped clean through, only to be denied by former United team-mate Roy Carroll.

Lampard slotted in a penalty after he was fouled by Dean Leacock, before Salomon Kalou knocked in the second.

Joe Cole crossed for Lampard to make it 3-0, Cole stroked home after Nicolas Anelka’s shot was saved and Lampard sealed his hat-trick from 25 yards.

Lampard made it 6-0 with a left-foot finish inside the box before David Jones rolled in a Derby consolation.