Reading 0 Fulham 2
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
Erik Nevland
gets
first goal for Fulham |
|
Brian McBride and Erik Nevland struck to give Fulham a glimmer of hope in their battle against relegation and end their horrendous away record.
Former USA striker McBride stabbed home a superb cross from Simon Davies to give the Cottagers their first Premier League victory on the road since September 2006.
And they would have won more convincingly but McBride, Brede Hangeland and Jimmy Bullard all struck the woodwork in a second half they dominated.
Their pressure eventually told, however, when substitute Nevland drilled home a second in injury time to end Reading's feeble resistance.
Kevin Doyle missed Reading's best chance shortly before the interval, summing up a poor performance from the Royals whose own relegation fears have now intensified.
It was desperate match at times but Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, who was sent spiralling into despair after last Saturday's defeat by Sunderland, will not have minded as his side claimed three priceless points.
The Cottagers looked doomed to the Championship following their 3-1 mauling by Roy Keane's side but could yet pull off an unlikely escape act.
| Match Stats |
Reading |
Fulham |
| Goals |
0 |
2 |
| Possession |
53% |
47% |
| Goal attempts |
4 |
16 |
| On Target |
0 |
8 |
| Corners |
4 |
7 |
| Off-sides |
1 |
1 |
| Saves |
2 |
6 |
| Fouls |
11 |
5 |
| Yellows |
0 |
1 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: Soccernet |
Crucially they face fellow strugglers Birmingham in the penultimate match of the season and the Blues' draw with Everton has further improved their chances of avoiding the drop.
Northern Ireland striker David Healy was rewarded for his goal against Sunderland by winning a rare start alongside McBride.
The £1.5million summer signing from Leeds enjoyed a few early touches as both sides produced some slick passing that belied what was at stake on the game.
Fulham were opened up when John Oster and Liam Rosenior combined down the right but Shane Long failed to connect cleanly with the final ball and his shot slid wide.
A brief but heavy rain storm failed to dampen Reading's early enthusiasm as they continued to probe down the right flank.
Marek Matejovsky was allowed to maraud through midfield as Fulham continued to look brittle on the counter-attack
A chance fell to McBride who had escaped unmarked onto the far post but centre-back Andre Bikey intervened at the crucial moment.
Neither side were in a hurry to make things happen, although Fulham continued to find themselves on the back foot - until they scored against the run of play.
Simon Davies darted free down the left in the 23rd minute and produced a perfect cross for McBride who stabbed home from close range before Matejovsky could stop him
The goal had given Fulham's self-belief a timely lift - and hit Reading's in the process - and they responded by pushing forward in search of a second.
They were quicker to the ball and tackled with greater intent, although McBride was forced to produce a crucial header as Bikey threatened to convert a corner.
Fulham were passing the ball nicely but they made little impression and paid the price for conceding possession when Reading reacted swiftly.
The cross was whipped in to Kevin Doyle who outjumped Aaron Hughes but the Royals marksman's header was off target when he had the goal at his mercy.
Fulham went desperately close to extending their lead when Healy teed up McBride but his thunderous 10-yard volley struck the crossbar.
Another McBride shot was blocked by Ivar Ingimarsson as Fulham's confidence continued to grow and then Healy tried his luck with a crafty turn and shot.
Reading, who appeared increasingly nervous, now looked like the away team as they struggled to loosen their opponents' grip on the match.
Bikey nodded over the crossbar - he scored two goals from a similar position against Birmingham last month - before Hangeland struck the woodwork at the other end.
Bullard followed in Hangeland's footsteps by striking the post with a free-kick before Nevland made no mistake in injury time.
Davies set up the opportunity with a killer pass that Nevland expertly tucked home.
Reading Hahnemann, Rosenior, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Shorey,Oster (Little 60), Harper, Matejovsky (Cisse 77), Hunt, Doyle,Long (Kitson 60).
Subs Not Used: Federici, Sonko.
Fulham Keller, Stalteri, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Davies,Bullard, Murphy (Andreasen 90), Dempsey (Bocanegra 85),Healy (Nevland 83), McBride.
Subs Not Used: Warner, Kamara.
Booked: Stalteri. (80,f)
Goals:
McBride 24 (right-footed into top-right of goal from centre
of penalty area, 6 yards out. Assist was a cross by Simon Davies from left wing.)
Nevland 90 (right-footed into bottom-left of goal from right side of penalty
area, 12 yards out. Assist was a pass by Simon Davies from left channel.).
Att: 24,112
Ref: R Styles