Chelsea star Tal Ben-Haim has urged England's furious fans to leave their frustrations behind and start looking towards the future.

A week ago Ben-Haim played his part in handing England a European Championship qualifying lifeline, helping Israel to a 2-1 win over Russia.

That left England needing only a point from Wednesday's final game with Croatia at Wembley to clinch a place in next summer's finals.

But England suffered a dismal 3-2 defeat that cost Steve McClaren his job as manager, and yesterday football fans across the country made their feelings known.

From Newcastle to Middlesbrough to Derby, supporters roundly booed England's players as their names were announced over the tannoy and with every touch of the ball.

Even Chelsea captain John Terry, who did not play on Wednesday but was on hand to offer moral support, did not escape the wrath of the Derby supporters as he was constantly jeered.

Midfielder Frank Lampard in particular, and winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, were subject to considerable abuse at Pride Park.

In the end, the trio had the final say as Chelsea claimed three points, with Wright-Phillips scoring a decisive second in the 73rd minute to add to Salomon Kalou's 18th-minute opener.

Ben-Haim, partnering the returning Terry in defence as the skipper ended seven weeks on the sidelines after a knee operation, feels his team-mates coped well in the face of adversity, and that the fans should now forgive and forget.

"I think our England players showed they are very professional," said Ben-Haim.

"They performed very well. They ran and tackled and passed the ball well. They are fantastic players.

"I think it is history already. The fans need to forget about it and look forward.

"Israel did our best because we played for our country again. At the end of the day, England's progress depended on their team.

"They didn't get a good result, but sometimes the worst can happen and it happened to England.

"But England still has a very good team, and you need to look forward."

Chelsea boss Avram Grant also criticised the Derby supporters for their reactions as he said: "I didn't like it.

"All the England players tried to do their best but it didn't work out, and I understand the supporters are disappointed. You can feel it.

"All of England wanted England to qualify, and the players wanted it too, but now they need support."

The derision was like water off a duck's back, especially during a one-sided first-half when Derby appeared every inch a rock-bottom team.

Chelsea were at least made to work a lot harder during the second period when they had the officials on their side.

They were fortunate a linesman's flag ruled a legitimate Kenny Miller strike offside in the 65th minute.

Then eight minutes later referee Andrew Marriner ignored Andriy Shevchenko's tackle from behind on Giles Barnes that led to Wright-Phillips scoring his first Chelsea goal for seven months.

The only downside for Grant and Chelsea was the dismissal of 75th-minute substitute Michael Essien for deliberately flailing an arm into the face of Miller in injury time.

Adopting a stance more akin to predecessor Jose Mourinho, Grant said: "I don't like to speak against a referee.

"I have not done it many times in my life and I don't want to do it now, especially as he is a first-year referee in the Premier League.

"I don't want to say something against him, but I have a feeling - and I was warned about this before I came to Chelsea and I fear it's true - that we are an easy target for getting red cards.

"It happened against Manchester United and Fulham this season and in both of those games we lost points, yet everybody saw they were not red cards, and this was the same.

"So I don't like the idea that we are an easy target. Everybody needs to think about it."

Grant was embarrassed, though, as it was immediately pointed out to him Marriner is a third-year official, and although replays suggested Essien's act was deliberate Chelsea are considering an appeal.

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