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Fulham 1-1 Reading: Tom Cairney header cancels out Jordan Obita opener... but Paul McShane horror challenge overshadows play-off semi-final

    Fulham 1-1 Reading: Relive all the action from Craven Cottage in Sportsmail's LIVE blog
    Jordan Obita broke the deadlock in the 54th minute after finding the back of the net from a very tight angle
    Tom Cairney scored the equaliser 11 minutes later by heading home a deflection from goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi
    Paul McShane shown a straight red card for a horror challenge on Kevin McDonald late in the second half
    Second leg to be played on 16 May at Reading's Madejski Stadium and final scheduled for 29 May at Wembley

The race for Premier League promotion is finely poised after free-scoring Fulham were kept quiet by the 10 men of Reading in their Championship play-off semi-final first leg on Saturday.

No one scored more than Fulham in English football's second tier this season and they thumped Reading 5-0 at Craven Cottage before Christmas.

Yet Slavisa Jokanovic's side were unable to inflict any further misery on Jaap Stam's Reading, who saw Paul McShane shown a straight red.

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Tom Cairney of Fulham celebrates in front of an elated Craven Cottage crowd after drawing his side level in the tie

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Cairney was the first man to meet a deflected save from Reading goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi and tapped the ball home

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Reading players celebrate in front of their travelling fans after Jonathan Obita gave them the lead in the play-off semi-final

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Obita of Reading celebrates after his fierce, low shot goes in off the Fulham post, leaving Marcus Bettinelli with no chance

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Reading captain Paul McShane is shown a red card while Kevin McDonald receives treatment after a dangerous challenge

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The referee was left with little choice after McShane recklessly tackled his Fulham counterpart with just 10 minutes remaining

They will have to make do without their club captain for the second leg at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday after McShane stuck his studs into the knee of Kevin McDonald.

'We trust all our players,' Stam said. 'McShane is an important piece of the puzzle but other players can do that job as well and we are still confident.

'I've seen plenty today to say we can still do it. I'm not talking about advantage Reading. We know what we can do.'

Reading, who finished third in the regular Championship season, took a surprise lead through Jordan Obita in the second half but Tom Cairney cancelled that out.

Fulham, though, left feeling frustrated.

'We cannot be complete satisfied,' Jokanovic said. 'We didn't win the game. I believe we deserved to score more and win the game but everything is now open for the game on Tuesday.'

The locals here hope the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur will be the visitors to Craven Cottage next term.

This ground is one of English football's gems with its old-fashioned charm and positioning by the River Thames. For this visit of Reading, with almost 24,000 fans in attendance, it was rocking.

Looking to avoid another heavy loss, Reading came here with a plan to counter-attack and try to take a clean sheet back to the Madejski.

They time wasted throughout – much to Fulham's frustration – and failed to manage a single shot on or off target in the first half.

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Goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi of Reading celebrates his side's first goal on the opposite end of the Craven Cottage pitch

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Fulham players surround Stuart Atwell after the referee allowed play to continue despite a suspected handball before the goal

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Cairney celebrates with his Fulham team-mates after his headed effort brings his side back on level terms in the game

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Reading captain McShane looks dismayed as he is shown a red card for a horror challenge on Fulham star McDonald

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Cairney of Fulham strikes the ball from distance but sees his curling effort sail just wide of the goalpost in the first half

That changed in the 53rd minute when Obita received the ball to the left of the box and unleashed a shot that went in off the far post.

Fulham were far from happy, however. Their players surrounded referee Stuart Attwell, feeling a free-kick should have been awarded in the build-up when Stefan Johansen was brought down by McShane.

Fulham levelled in the 65th minute when Reading goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi made a hash of a Scott Malone cross and gifted it to Cairney, who headed home.

It was in the 80th minute when McShane was sent off for his foul on McDonald, with replays showing his studs connected with his opponent.

With 10 minutes to go, Reading had 10 men. They survived and all eyes will be on the Madejski on Tuesday with everything to play for.

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Sone Aluko of Fulham of Fulham goes within inches of giving his side the lead after a fine passing move results in a shot

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Aluko looks dejected as he sees his shot dribble wide of the Reading goal in what was Fulham's best chance of the first-half

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Yann Kermorgant of Reading attempts a last ditch slide tackle on an advancing Aluko but give away a free-kick

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Chris Martin of Fulham and Liam Moore of Reading compete for the ball in the middle of the field during the first-half

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Fulham star Martin is closely marked at a corner by Reading's Liam Moore (right) and Tyler Blackett (left) during a free-kick

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Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic reacts from his technical area in the home dugout as the game continues

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Reading manager Jaap Stam keeps a cool face as he watches the game play out from the comfort of his technical area

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Former Fulham manager Roy Hodgson made an appearance at Craven Cottage for the Championship play-off semi-final




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4502884/Fulham-1-1-Reading-Paul-McShane-horror-tackle-mars-draw.html#ixzz4h2Izh1H9 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4502884/Fulham-1-1-Reading-Paul-McShane-horror-tackle-mars-draw.html#ixzz4h2Izh1H9)
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Fulham draw with Reading in first leg

Fulham 1 Reading 1

---

Fulham's promotion hopes remain in the balance after Tom Cairney's equaliser salvaged a draw from a flat performance in the first leg of their play-off semi-final.

Aside from a few brief spells, Slavisa Jokanovic's side struggled to get out of a fairly low gear against a well organised Reading, who looked far more tactically and physically competitive than when they were beaten 5-0 at Craven Cottage in December.

Jordan Obita had fired the Royals ahead early in the second half but an error from his team-mate, goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi, presented Cairney with the leveller.

Reading, though, will be without skipper Paul McShane for the second leg after he was sent off 10 minutes from time for catching Fulham midfielder Kevin McDonald with a high foot.

Goalscorer Cairney had unleashed the game's first shot at goal after a nervy first 10 minutes, but his left-footed effort from 25 yards bent narrowly away from the right-hand upright.

It took another 10 minutes before Fulham finally showed a glimpse of the attacking fluidity that has become their trademark this season, Scott Malone and Floyd Ayite linking up well on the left flank before the latter's low cross was scuffed just wide by Sone Aluko.

Reading, though, were getting under the home side's skin and they took the lead having won the ball in Fulham territory after a few robust challenges.

The ball was fed to Obita and the left wing-back struck a crisp low shot in via the far post.

Yann Kermorgant almost scored an audacious second, fashioning a volley from distance which just cleared the bar, but all of Reading's good work was undone by Al Habsi's mistake.

Malone was sent away down the left and his cross appeared too close to the goalkeeper, but he palmed it out into the path of Cairney, who nodded home.

Fulham were largely on top after that without creating too many chances, even after the dismissal of McShane following a knee-high challenge on McDonald.

Fulham: Bettinelli; Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Malone; McDonald, Johansnen; Aluko (Cyriac 86), Cairney, Ayite; Martin (Kebano 60).
Subs not used: Button, Odoi, Sessegnon, Parker, Piazon.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-hopes-in-balance-after-draw-with-reading (http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-hopes-in-balance-after-draw-with-reading)

 
Ten man Royals earn Craven Cottage draw

Honours even as we head to the Madejski on Tuesday night!

A resilient Royals side earned a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage to take the Championshio Play-Off Semi-Final into a second leg with all to play for as Fulham and Reading remain all square after 90 minutes.

Jordan Obita had given the visitors the lead with a superb left-footed effort that fizzed in off the base of the right post. But Tom Cairney levelled with a close range header before captain Paul McShane was shown a red card for a foul on Kevin McDonald. The Royals held firm though and it's all set up for the second leg!

Royals boss Jaap Stam named Paul McShane in defence to give his captain his second successive start since returning from injury. Liam Kelly missed out on the first leg through illness though, so Danny Williams, John Swift and George Evans made up the three man midfield. Lewis Grabban, meanwhile, started alongside Kermorgant in attack.

The two sets of players emerged to a rapturous welcome and the game got off to an equally lively start. Lewis Grabban got in behind thew home defence and then Chris Martin sprung the offside trap at the other end, but neither were able to fins a cross or a telling pass to unlock the defence.

Nine minutes in and two Fulham men collided with each other in the air to allow Grabban to gather the ball in and approach the edge of the area. But covering Cottagers defneders got back to surround the Reading striker and deny him a clean shot at goal.

The Fulham skipper Cairney got the first real shot of the game away, first seeing a snap shot from distance blocked by Liam Moore, then seeing his follow-up effort whistle just wide of the top right corner.

A Kermorgant flick on almost set Grabban away again after the French striker had glanced Ali Al Habsi's long ball from the back into the path of our loanee. But Grabban couldn't get the ball out from under his feet and Fulham won it back.

The hosts squandered a good chance of their own with 20 minutes gone though. Ayite raced in behind McShane to collect a one two from Malone and he pulled the ball back for Aluko who dragged a left-footed effort inches wide of the bottom right corner.

As the half hour mark approached, McShane threaded a delightful ball into Williams who got to the byline down thew right side of the box. He cut the ball back but as Grabban wound up to strike it with his right boot, a Fulham leg hurriedly hacked it clear.

As you might expect in a match of such magnitude, it was fast-paced and full of wholehearted tackles right across the Cravan Cottage pitch. And as a hotly-contested first half neared its conclusion a floated Gunter cross nearly picked out Swift at the back post.

Swift's inswinging delivery was aimed at the far post where Moore bore down on Malone who managed to shepherd the ball behind for another corner. From this one Fulham broke, but Kermorgant stopped Johansen in his tracks to concede a free kick and pick up a yellow card.

Three minutes of injury time were signalled and Moore did well to see off a late counter attack that ended in Sone Aluko stabbing wide of the left upright. And the teams went into the dressing rooms all square.

Half-time: Fulham 0-0 Reading

Reading began the second half well and Swift was given some space to run into in midfield courtesy of Tyler Blackett's burst forward from the back. The midfielder triewd to thread a reverse pass into Grabban but the ball was shielded behind for a goal kick by Kalas.

And with less than 10 minutes of the second half played, the Royals took the lead. McShane and Williams won the ball in midfield and the captain carried the ball forward. He was barged off the ball but the referee allowed play to continue as the centre-back's pass had found Obita just inside the Fulham box. And the left-back rifled a low drive in off the base of the right post for 1-0.

With 57 minutes on the clock, half chances at both ends. Grabban did well to pull the ball back to Williams from the byline but the midfielder couldn't get a shot in as the pass fell slightly behind him.

Then at the other end a ricocheted clearance from McShane fell kindly for Johansen whose deflected effort was well saved by Ali Al Habsi and gathered in at the second attempt.

Kermorgant, oozing with confidence after his recent form, tried a speculative volley goalwards from 35 yards out, but the ball dropped over the crossbar to the home side's relief.

However, the home side drew level and set the Craven Cottage crowd alive when captain Tom Cairney headed home from six yards out to convert a Malone strike that had been parried by Al Habsi but only to the edge of the Royals six yard box.

Floyd Ayite had the ball in the back of the net but an offside flag was raised in advance of the forward applying the finish, then Joseph Mendes came onto the pitch in place of Lewis Grabban up front.

Fulham had the momentum though and Fredericks beat Blackett down the right to fizz a low cross into the middle, only for Moore to intercept it at the near post and clear it behind for a corner.

Then, Reading got an opportunity down the left when Swift found Obita. The Royals' goalscorer skidded a low ball into the box where Mendes looked to connect at the near post, but he couldn't get a telling touch to turn the cross goalwards.

With ten minutes of the match remaining, the semi-final took a twist in Fulham's favour. McShane's tackle on McDonald was seen as a foul and, after consultation with his assistant, a red card offence. The Royals' skipper received his marching orders and Stam brought Tiago Ilori on at the back.

The Royals looked to hold onto the draw to take back to Madejski Stadium, but Fulham were throwing the kitchen sink at Jaap Stam's side as the final ten minutes slowly ticked away. McDonald arrowed too high and then Ayite swetp a shot over the crossbar in the last of those ten minutes, before five minutes of added time were signalled.

Liam Moore's superb sliding block denied Malone, then Gunter headed behind as Malone looked to latch onto a deep Ayite cross to the back post. Fredericks then ran at Obita and whistled a fearsome cross across the face of goal but behind for a goal kick. And the Royals held firm. To Tuesday night...

Full-time: Fulham 1-1 Reading

Fulham: Bettinelli, Fredericks, Kalas, Ream, Malone, Johansen, McDonald, Cairney (c), Aluko (Cyriac 87), Ayite, Martin (Kebano 61).
Subs: Button, Odoi, Sessegnon, Parker, Piazon.
Yellow: McDonald
Goals: Cairney (65)

Reading: Al Habsi, Gunter, Obita, Blackett, Moore, McShane, Evans, Williams, Swift (Van den Berg 74), Grabban (Mendes 68 (Ilori 81)), Kermorgant.
Subs: Jaakkola, Beerens, McCleary, Popa.
Yellow: Swift, Kermorgant
Red: McShane
Goals: Obita (54)

Att: 23,717



Read more at http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/fulham-vs-reading-play-off-semi-final-first-leg-3715092.aspx#QQfvfgZ6j2Z8o7kB.99 (http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/fulham-vs-reading-play-off-semi-final-first-leg-3715092.aspx#QQfvfgZ6j2Z8o7kB.99)

 
Fulham v Reading: How did Derby County striker Chris Martin do in play-off semi-final?

Derby County striker Chris Martin started up front for Fulham in their Championship play-off semi-final against Reading on Saturday night.

Martin, on loan at Fulham from the Rams until the summer break, was largely anonymous as the Whites drew 1-1 with Reading.

The striker was replaced by Neeskens Kabano after an hour at Craven Cottage.

At that stage, Reading were leading 1-0 thanks to Jordan Obita. His low strike from the corner of the box hit the inside of the post and went in.

Within three minutes of Martin being replaced, Fulham had drawn themselves level as Reading goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi could only parry out Scott Malone's cross to Tom Cairney who headed home.

Reading's Paul McShane then saw red with just 11 minutes to go as he went in studs-up and over the top on Kevin McDonald.

Despite being a man light, Reading saw out the game to leave it all to play for at the Madjeski Stadium.



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/8203-fulham-v-reading-how-did-derby-county-striker-chris-martin-do-in-play-off-semi-final/story-30330721-detail/story.html#MipPuMP7OEMkwLcl.99 (http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/8203-fulham-v-reading-how-did-derby-county-striker-chris-martin-do-in-play-off-semi-final/story-30330721-detail/story.html#MipPuMP7OEMkwLcl.99)

 
Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović was pleased by the resilience showed by his side in a physical and eventful encounter against Reading on a lively Saturday afternoon at Craven Cottage.

At a pulsating Craven Cottage with a ramped up atmosphere Reading took the lead early in the second half when Jordan Obita fired home from a tight angle. However, Fulham battled back and were level through a Tom Cairney header ten minutes later and despite pushing late on against the 10 men of Reading they could not break the deadlock.

"We cannot be completely satisfied," said Jokanović, "We didn't win the game but that happens to normal teams.

"I was expecting a hard, tough game.

"We found this to be the situation on the pitch, I believe we deserved to score some more goals and win the game but the result is a draw and everything is open for the game we are going to play on Tuesday night."


Jokanović thought there was a hand-ball in the build up to Jordan Obita's goal but insists his team cannot be distracted about past events going into a crucial game on Tuesday night at the Madejski Stadium.

"It could have been a free-kick, they definitely touched the ball with the hand, and it's a physical, complicated game.

"Sometimes referees make mistakes and this time was a costly mistake for us but we must prepare, we must be strong and be ready for what we are going to find on Tuesday night."

The Fulham Head Coach acknowledged that it was a physical game and Reading did well to try and put the Whites off their game but was delighted by the spirit showed by his players.

"Ok, we showed direction and we were not scared after they scored the goal," he reflected. "To be honest they didn't give us a lot of space to play today and they pressed us so hard.

"We didn't find enough space for the combinations and to find our style.

"We kicked the ball so many times, so many long balls for Chris Martin.

"In the second half we started to find a little bit more space and we definitely found a bit more after the sending off.

"We started to move the ball from one side to the other and in the game we created many chances, but we were not clinical enough.

"I believe we could have won the game but this is normal. I didn't expect for us to win 5-0 like we did in December.

"It's Reading's choice of what they do, without giving us space for combinations immediately they started to look to play behind our centre backs.

"There were many times where they tried to find these gaps behind our defenders and I expect them to try something similar in the away game.

"We have to be strong and believe in the possibility to push hard on Tuesday night."

Attention now turns to Tuesday night, as the Whites make the trip to the Madejski Stadium for the second leg of the encounter. The Head Coach says his side will approach the match with confidence, despite the draw at the Cottage.

"We are always with confidence," he stated. "This confidence gives us chance to enjoy this kind of game, we are showing clear progress this season and now the competition is different.

"There is only one team going to survive on Tuesday night and I really believe my players are a strong enough quality and they will play with enough confidence to win the game.

"Our fans were fantastic, today is probably the best atmosphere in my year-and-a-half in this position at Fulham.

"They always help us and I'm sure they will make enough noise and push us to win the game."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/may/13/head-coach-reaction (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/may/13/head-coach-reaction)

 
Tom Cairney's equaliser against Reading keeps Fulham promotion hopes alive

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The Fulham goalscorer, Tom Cairney, controls the ball during the Championship semi-final first-leg draw with Reading. Photograph: Craig Mercer - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images

Both Fulham and Reading can still dream of a Wembley final after neither took a significant advantage from an explosive Championship play-off first leg. Tom Cairney stabbed home an equaliser after Reading, who had their captain, Paul McShane, sent off late on, took the lead through a fine Jordan Obita strike.

Battle recommences on Tuesday at the Madejski Stadium. Five points had separated third-placed Reading and sixth-placed Fulham in the table but in this edgy affair the margins were even finer. Jaap Stam was reluctant to indulge in the superlatives surrounding Slavisa Jokanovic's side before this match and the Reading manager will have returned to Berkshire with further buoyancy.

"We know what we can do and we are very confident in our squad in what we need to bring to the game," Stam said. "The home advantage does not guarantee you a win. You still need to work hard and the only difference in these games is that it is not all about quality; it is about your mind, playing with your heart and how badly do you want to have a result? I have been there myself as well and it is very important in these games."

There was a competitive edge around the ground three hours before a ball was even kicked. Behind the Riverside Stand spectators on the embankment of the Thames witnessed the annual Putney Town Regatta. Inside Craven Cottage a special atmosphere was unfolding, whereby Fulham were roared on by the sound of cardboard clappers drenched in club colours.

The result the last time these teams met in west London was slapped on the back of the programme. That day in December Fulham brushed Reading aside 5-0. Jokanovic, though, stressed pre-match that previous results this season counted for little.

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Reading had the first true sighting of goal, when Lewis Grabban was set free by his strike partner, Yann Kermorgant, but the Bournemouth loanee delayed his shot.

It was only then that Fulham began to settle. Cairney sent a fierce left-footed effort just wide of Ali al-Habsi's goal before the Cottagers poured forward once more, with Sone Aluko skewing an effort inches wide after a neat cutback by Floyd Ayité.

Reading, in luminous yellow, were savvy and, at times, purposefully slow in possession. John Swift was booked for time-wasting after 39 minutes. The defenders McShane and Chris Gunter were the pantomime villains, drawing simple fouls, much to the anger of the home support.

Jokanovic described Reading's forthcoming approach as "completely legal" but insisted his team played the better football. "They put in a very strong and physical game and it is within the limits of the legal situation," the Fulham manager said. "They arrived with a clear plan and this plan worked with them for a good hour."

The second half started tetchily before Reading exploded into life on 53 minutes. It was the unlikely, marauding figure of McShane who drove forward with the ball, unchallenged. He sprayed the ball to his left, picking out Obita, a Royal since the age of eight, who did the rest. The Reading left-back composed himself with his first touch before drilling a thunderous low effort in off Marcus Bettinelli's left post with his second.

Jokanovic's hand was now forced and Neeskens Kebano came on in place of the ineffective Chris Martin.

But as so often this season Fulham looked to Cairney, their dancing No10, for inspiration. This was his 13th goal for the season but it was not exactly pretty, the captain heading home from close range when Habsi could only parry Scott Malone's cross-cum-shot from the left after 64 minutes.

The decibel levels inside this marvellous stadium moved through the gears, an atmosphere Jokanovic said was the best he had experienced as the Fulham manager. Hearts were racing when Kebano put the ball in the net only for the linesman to flag the Congolese forward offside. Reading then went down the other end in search of regaining their lead but Grabban was well shackled by Tomas Kalas.

As both teams attempted to swing the pendulum in their favour, a spicy finale ensued. Obita, who left the field on a stretcher with a suspected ankle injury, clashed with Ryan Fredericks inside the box before McShane was given a straight red card for a high lunge on the midfielder Kevin McDonald with 10 minutes to play. As Reading battled on without their captain, Fulham sensed blood but even with five minutes of stoppage time, they could not find a winner.



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/13/fulham-reading-championship-play-off-match-report (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/13/fulham-reading-championship-play-off-match-report)

 
Fulham 1 - 1 Reading


Fulham and Reading could not be separated as their Championship play-off semi-final first leg finished all square in a fiery encounter.

Reading played the last 10 minutes with 10 men after Paul McShane saw red for a dangerous tackle on Kevin McDonald.

After a goalless first half, Reading took the lead when Jordan Obita drilled in off the inside of the post.

Tom Cairney headed Fulham's leveller from close in after Ali Al-Habsi failed to hold on to Scott Malone's drive.

Ryan Fredericks went close to a stoppage-time winner for Fulham but his shot across goal went just wide after a run down the right.

The two sides will meet again in the return leg at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday.

With the first leg drawn, both sides stretched their impressive unbeaten runs which secured their respective places in the play-offs.

Reading will hope a home record of just two league defeats all season will prove a good omen in Berkshire in the return leg, while Fulham will hope to avenge a 1-0 defeat back in January.

Tempestuous evening by the Thames

In a tempestuous and rowdy affair in west London, referee Stuart Attwell had a task on his hands to keep a lid on emotions both on and off the pitch.

Reading's goal was perhaps a touch fortunate when an apparent foul by McShane on Stefan Johansen went unpunished and Obita was on hand to finish as the space opened up for the visitors.

As well as McShane's red card, four yellow cards were produced as the sides, who finished sixth and third respectively in the regular season, looked to gain the ascendancy.

Despite the at times overly physical challenges, Attwell showed his composure to ensure McShane's reckless challenge was the only significant punishment for either side.


Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic:

"We cannot be completely satisfied with what happens in the game. But I was expecting a tough game and I believed in ourselves to win the game, but the result is what it is.

"Everything is set up for the return on Tuesday and it's open.

"The red card is very clear and I believe it's very clear. It looked a clear free-kick for their goal as there was a touch with the hand too but it's a physical and very complicated game and sometimes referees can make mistakes.

"But we must be ready, we must be better for what's going to come on Tuesday.

"We showed we weren't scared after their goal, they didn't give us a lot of space but we found more in the second half. We had many chances but we weren't clinical enough. We must be strong and believe in ourselves for the return leg."

Reading manager Jaap Stam:

"We can still win a game without Paul McShane, he's been very important to us throughout the season but we have options and we're very confident that we can still do well.

"I'm not going to say who does or doesn't have the advantage for the second leg. We know what we can do and what we can bring as a side and you've seen that today.

"Home advantage doesn't guarantee you a win, you still have to work very hard and give everything for it.

"These games aren't just about ability and quality, it's about your mind and dealing with the stress and playing with your heart. A lot of things are different in these games than they are in the league."


On Paul McShane's red card: "I've seen it back and he hits the player, he's trying to reach the ball and the player has got a touch in there to just nick it in front of him, which is why he's late to the ball.

"We had to deal with it and we knew it was going to be hard, but we defended well and ended the game level.

"Everything is still open and anything can still happen on Tuesday."



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39838351 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39838351)

 
Paul McShane to miss play-off second leg and potential final after red card

Fulham 1 Reading 1

Reading escaped with a 1-1 draw from a feisty Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg at Fulham.

The free-scoring Cottagers dominated at Craven Cottage but had only Tom Cairney's header to show for their efforts.

Reading had taken a surprise lead through Jordan Obita, but after Cairney equalised they had to withstand a second-half onslaught.

They survived the final 10 minutes with 10 men after captain Paul McShane was sent off - the defender will now miss Tuesday's second leg and the final should they get there.

Fulham may have finished the season in sixth place but they were the joint-highest scorers in the division with 85 goals from 46 matches - including a 5-0 hammering of Reading here in December.

Royals boss Jaap Stam, presumably mindful of that mauling, opted for a five-man defence and displayed a clear intent to frustrate Fulham's potent attack.

Their midfielder John Swift even picked up a booking for time wasting, six minutes before half-time.

Fulham left their 16-year-old prodigy Ryan Sessegnon on the bench, despite it not being a school night, but they still created the better of the few chances in the first half.

The best of them fell to Sone Aluko, who was unmarked 12 yards out when he met Floyd Ayite's cut-back but pulled his shot across goal and wide.

Cairney curled an early effort high and wide, and Ayite shot wastefully into the side netting when he should have squared the ball in first-half stoppage time.

But for all their lack of ambition, Reading stunned the hosts when Obita fired them into the lead eight minutes after half-time.

Fulham felt Stefan Johansen was fouled in the build-up as McShane ploughed through the midfield and fed Obita on the left.

The full-back was not closed down quickly enough by Ryan Fredericks and drilled a low, angled drive in off the far post.

That setback merely served to fire Fulham up, however, and Johansen saw a long-range effort saved by Ali Al Habsi before they grabbed a 65th-minute equaliser.

Scott Malone's cross was palmed out by Al Habsi straight onto the head of Cairney, who nodded into an unguarded net for his 13th goal of the season.

McShane was then shown a straight red card for an awful challenge on Kevin McDonald, and the 10-man visitors were forced back deeper and deeper.

But Fulham were unable to find a way through with Ayite firing over from the edge of the area and Fredericks driving wide in stoppage time.



http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/paul-mcshane-to-miss-play-off-second-leg-and-potential-final-after-red-card-789579.html (http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/paul-mcshane-to-miss-play-off-second-leg-and-potential-final-after-red-card-789579.html)

 
Analysis: Tom Cairney shows a cooler head than his Reading counterpart but the omens are against Fulham

Reading will take a 1-1 draw back to the Madejski Stadium ahead of next week's EFL Championship Play-Off second-leg with Fulham.

Standard Sport's Giuseppe Muro was at Craven Cottage on Saturday, and here are his thoughts from the semi-final first leg...

JAAP STAM WILL BE THE HAPPIER MANAGER
Reading will probably be the happier team at the halfway stage of the tie. This Play-Off semi-final is finely poised after the first leg but Fulham failed to grab the advantage at home. The Whites battled back to earn a draw through Tom Cairney but were frustrated by Reading for most of the afternoon. They then failed to find a winner after the away side had Paul McShane was sent off on 80 minutes but it is still all to play as they bid to reach Wembley.

COTTAGE ROCKED LIKE THOSE EUROPEANS NIGHTS OF OLD

The atmosphere at Craven Cottage served up memories of those famous nights in the Europa League. The passion and noise created by Fulham fans was a reminder of when Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg came unstuck in this corner of west London in 2010. The ground was a 23,717 sell-out and the home supporters created a great atmosphere as their team earned a draw.

(https://static.standard.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/story_medium/public/thumbnails/image/2017/05/13/19/fulhamreading130517m.jpg)
Photo: REUTERS

WHILE ONE CAPTAIN LED BY EXAMPLE...

Tom Cairney's 13th goal of the season might just be his most important. The Fulham captain was relatively quiet at Craven Cottage but he popped up with a crucial goal to equalise when Scott Malone's cross was parried into his path by Reading goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi. Cairney, who already looks like he could do well in the Premier League, produced when his team needed him most.

...THE OTHER DID NOT

Reading will be without their captain McShane for the second leg - which is a boost for Fulham in their hopes of getting to Wembley. McShane was shown a straight red card in the 80th minute for a dangerous high tackle on Kevin McDonald and will be suspended.

BAD OMENS FOR JOKANOVIC

History is against Fulham in their bid for the Premier League. The team that has finished sixth in the Championship has won promotion via the play-offs just once in the past 11 seasons. The last team to finish sixth and go up was Blackpool in 2009-10. Fulham will be hoping to back that trend this season.



http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/analysis-tom-cairney-shows-a-cooler-head-than-his-reading-counterpart-but-the-omens-are-against-a3538486.html (http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/analysis-tom-cairney-shows-a-cooler-head-than-his-reading-counterpart-but-the-omens-are-against-a3538486.html)

 
All square at Craven Cottage as Fulham frustrate Reading

Jordan Obita's opener was cancelled out by Tom Cairney.


Reading escaped with a 1-1 draw from a feisty Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg at Fulham.

The free-scoring Cottagers dominated at Craven Cottage but had only Tom Cairney's header to show for their efforts.

Reading had taken a surprise lead through Jordan Obita, but after Cairney equalised they had to withstand a second-half onslaught.

They survived the final 10 minutes with 10 men after captain Paul McShane was sent off – the defender will now miss Tuesday's second leg and the final should they get there.

Fulham may have finished the season in sixth place but they were the joint-highest scorers in the division with 85 goals from 46 matches – including a 5-0 hammering of Reading here in December.

Royals boss Jaap Stam, presumably mindful of that mauling, opted for a five-man defence and displayed a clear intent to frustrate Fulham's potent attack.

Their midfielder John Swift even picked up a booking for time wasting, six minutes before half-time.

Fulham left their 16-year-old prodigy Ryan Sessegnon on the bench, despite it not being a school night, but they still created the better of the few chances in the first half.

The best of them fell to Sone Aluko, who was unmarked 12 yards out when he met Floyd Ayite's cut-back but pulled his shot across goal and wide. Cairney curled an early effort high and wide, and Ayite shot wastefully into the side netting when he should have squared the ball in first-half stoppage time.

But for all their lack of ambition, Reading stunned the hosts when Obita fired them into the lead eight minutes after half-time.

Fulham felt Stefan Johansen was fouled in the build-up as McShane ploughed through the midfield and fed Obita on the left.

The full-back was not closed down quickly enough by Ryan Fredericks and drilled a low, angled drive in off the far post.

That setback merely served to fire Fulham up, however, and Johansen saw a long-range effort saved by Ali Al Habsi before they grabbed a 65th-minute equaliser. Scott Malone's cross was palmed out by Al Habsi straight onto the head of Cairney, who nodded into an unguarded net for his 13th goal of the season.

McShane was then shown a straight red card for an awful challenge on Kevin McDonald, and the 10-man visitors were forced back deeper and deeper.

But Fulham were unable to find a way through with Ayite firing over from the edge of the area and Fredericks driving wide in stoppage time.

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic: "We can't be completely satisfied. We didn't win the game. I believe we deserved to score more and win the game but everything is now open for the game on Tuesday night. We had many chances but we were not clinical enough."

Reading boss Jaap Stam: "I'm not talking about 'advantage Reading'. We know what we can do, we are confident in our squad and Fulham are a very talented team. Home advantage doesn't guarantee anything, we will have to work hard."



http://sport.bt.com/football/all-square-at-craven-cottage-as-fulham-frustrate-reading-S11364180169246 (http://sport.bt.com/football/all-square-at-craven-cottage-as-fulham-frustrate-reading-S11364180169246)

 
Fulham 1 Reading 1: Paul McShane sees red as honours shared in play-off first leg

READING are on the verge of ending a haunting hoodoo after a frantic first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final at Craven Cottage.

Jordan Obita's second goal in a week ensured they will go into Tuesday's second leg full of confidence and hoping to erase six previous failures at this stage.

Reading have suffered play-off heartbreak before, most recently against Swansea in the 2011 final.

And they will be chasing a £200million Premier League pay-out without skipper Paul McShane, sent off in the 83rd minute for a straight red following a studs-up tackle on Kevin McDonald.

His rush of blood could yet cost them dear but only time will tell. Reading still held out to beat the odds after being on the back foot throughout a tense clash. And they had the answers and the ability to strike back.

This was never more in evidence than when Obita struck in the 53rd minute, adding to his previous strike against Burton.



The winger raced on to McShane's pass and from a difficult angle drove sweetly home via the far post. Fulham equalised through Tom Cairney four minutes later to keep the tie on a knife-edge.

Both sides gave their all but overall the quality was lacking and you already fear for both if promoted.

Yet both sides could not be faulted for effort, they gave everything they had. The visitors took the lead after McShane surged into the opponents' half before playing a sweet pass wide left to the overlapping Obita.

At first it did not look as if there was an opening but he struck the ball true with his left foot and it flew in off the far post.

Fulham ended the Championship season on an unbeaten run of six matches, winning five of them – and they refused to panic.

Their composure was rewarded when Cairney headed in after goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi had pushed out Scott Malone's cross-shot.

It had been hectic from the start with Cairney blasting a shot inches wide as the Cottagers worked hard to assert their superiority against a side they whipped 5-0 in a league match back in December.

Fulham's classy football has been the talk of the Championship but Reading are gritty and work hard for each other.

The game was kept continually on in the balance. It flowed from end to end with neither side prepared to give an inch.



Reading finished the season third in the table and had been unfancied heading into the play-offs.

But they arrived in decent form, having won seven of their previous nine matches and striker Kermorgant ended the season as the star player in the division.

Their desire to claim a first-leg advantage was underlined when John Swift was booked in the 40th minute for time wasting over a corner!

But Reading's strength has been at home and you fear for Fulham on Tuesday as they know they have to go to the Madejski Stadium and come away with a positive results or the game is up for another season.



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/613981/Fulham-Reading-Jordan-Obita-Paul-McShane-Championship-Semi-Final-Leg-One-Premier-League (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/613981/Fulham-Reading-Jordan-Obita-Paul-McShane-Championship-Semi-Final-Leg-One-Premier-League)

 
Fulham v Reading FC: 'Semi-final tie is nicely poised,' claims former Manchester City and Crystal Palace defender

Reading held on to draw 1-1 with Fulham despite Paul McShane's red card

Former Fulham defender and manager Kit Symons says the Championship play-off semi-final tie between Reading and the Whites is set up fantastically well after a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.

Royals held on to draw in West London after Tom Cairney had cancelled out Jordan Obita's opener for the visitors, with Reading skipper Paul McShane seeing red late on for a poor challenge on Kevin McDonald.

But Symons believes the tie is now finely balanced for the second leg at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday, with the former Portsmouth, Manchester City and Crystal Palace defender claiming that both sides will fancy their chances of making the Wembley final.

"Fulham deserved to at least get back in the game and it is nicely poised," he said speaking on Sky Sports after the game.

"I think it is set up fantastically well. Both teams will fancy their chances - Reading will at home and Fulham are very good away from home."

Meanwhile, Symons described Obita's opener for Royals as a "great strike", while he said he felt Reading goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi should have held on to Scott Malone's cross-cum-shot.



http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-v-reading-fc-semi-13031717 (http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-v-reading-fc-semi-13031717)

 
Fulham and Reading draw tempestuous Championship play-off semi-final first leg at Craven Cottage

Fulham 1 Reading 1: Jordan Obita and Tom Cairney got the goals before Reading's Paul McShane saw red late into the game for a dangerous tackle on Kevin McDonald

The play-off semi-final between Fulham and Reading is finely balanced ahead of Tuesday's second leg at the Madejski Stadium. The Londoners may consider that they have a slight advantage after Paul McShane, the Reading captain, was sent off ten minutes from the end of yesterday's game and will miss Tuesday's match and the final if Reading get there.

But Jaap Stam, the Reading manager, was confident that the loss of his captain and central defender will not turn the tie. "I've seen it back, he hits the player," Stam said. "He doesn't do that on purpose, he's trying to reach the ball and the player nicked it away and he was just a bit late.

"He's been very important for us throughout the season but he's had injuries as well, other players needed to step up so we can win a game without Paul McShane and they did well. We trust all our players. McShane is an important piece of the puzzle but other players can do that job as well and we are still confident. I've seen plenty today to say we can still do it."

Reading took the lead early in the second half through Jordan Obita before Fulham hit back with a goal by their captain, Tom Cairney after an error by Reading goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi. Obita is a doubt for Tuesday's game after leaving the game with a twisted ankle late on.

The match kicked off at a frantic pace, which made good football difficult. Instead of Reading's often glacial possession game, the Craven Cottage crowd saw the ball knocked forward early and from one such delivery Lewis Grabban had a clear run on goal thanks to a collision between Fulham central defenders Tim Ream and Tomas Kalas. However, Grabban seemed unaware that he was now clear of the defence and Ryan Fredericks had just enough time to get across from right back to knock the ball away for a corner. but the Reading man was too slow to appreciate the opportunity and the chance was gone.

It was a surprising approach by Reading after their 5-0 defeat in a regular-season game here but their relative lack of caution allowed Fulham some openings and Cairney took advantage of one after 11 minutes, striking a shot from 25 yards that looked in until it faded late and dropped past the far post. Then Floyd Ayite exchanged passes with Scott Malone on the left and cut the ball back for Sone Aluko, but Aluko's shot was just wide of the far post.

And Ayite charged down the left just before half time but the Togo winger could not make up his mind whether to pass or shoot and by the time he had opted for a shot, Liam Moore had closed down any space he might have aimed for.

Obita was far more decisive as Reading took the lead eight minutes into the second half. McShane won a tackle on the half-way line – cleanly despite the home fans' objections - and made ground through midfield before finding Obita out on the left. Unlike Ayite, he wasted no time and sent a powerful low left-foot shot across Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli and in off the foot of the far post.

Fulham responded and were level on 65 minutes. Malone was involved twice and when he got the ball from Ayite, he sent a dangerous cross towards the six yard box. Al Habsi fumbled it and the ball reared up off the turf in front of Cairney, who could not miss.

Ten minutes from time came McShane's red card when he followed through into McDonald's knee as he went into a challenge. Reading protested that McShane had been fouled himself by sub Neeskens Kebano as was thus off balance but referee Stuart Attwell was unimpressed.

"We showed a good reaction after they scored," Fulham manager Slavisa Joanovic said. "They didn't give us any space to play today, but in the second half we found more. We had many chances but we were not clinical enough, but I didn't expect to win 5-0 like we did in December. We will push hard on Tuesday night and I expect something similar."



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/fulham-1-reading-1-sky-bet-championship-play-off-semi-final-first-leg-a7734656.html (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/fulham-1-reading-1-sky-bet-championship-play-off-semi-final-first-leg-a7734656.html)

 
Reading played 'on limit of the laws' – Jokanovic

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic claimed Reading played "on the limit of the laws" in the play-off semi-final first leg at Craven Cottage – and insisted the Royals' goal should not have stood.

Jordan Obita fired the visitors in front after they had won the ball in Fulham territory with some robust challenges.

Jokanovic felt one of them was a foul and also pointed to a possible handball, but he was pleased with the way his side responded as they equalised through Tom Cairney's header.

"It can be a free-kick – they definitely touched the ball with a hand," Jokanovic said.

"It was a physical, complicated game. Sometimes referees make mistakes – it was a costly mistake for us."

Reading had lost 5-0 at Craven Cottage in December but looked determined from the outset not to be out-passed by the Whites, hounding ball carriers and putting in some strong tackles.

Captain Paul McShane was sent off 10 minutes from time for a knee-high challenge on Kevin McDonald.

"They put on the field a very strong and physical game," he said.

"It's on the limit of the laws, but they arrived with a clear plan. This plan was working for them for a good hour.

"After that we found a way to score the goal, and in total I believe we played better football than Reading, but everything is open – the chance [of progressing] is half and half."



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/reading-played-limit-laws-says-fulham-boss (http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/reading-played-limit-laws-says-fulham-boss)

 
Obita a doubt for second leg and Stam defends tactics

Reading boss Jaap Stam says he is "not overly worried" by the possibility of losing both captain Paul McShane and goalscorer Jordan Obita for the second leg of their play-off semi-final with Fulham.

McShane is definitely out after he was sent off in the closing stages at Craven Cottage for a knee-high challenge on Kevin McDonald.

Obita, meanwhile, left on a stretcher after twisting his ankle after blocking a cross and will be a major doubt with the return leg just 72 hours away.

Stam said: "Fredericks came bombing forward and he [Obita] tried to block the cross and you can see when there's no tension in the ankle, you twist it. So we will have to look and see how he feels.

"They are very important for us, Jordan and Macca, but we've got a big squad. We've got choices and players who can play in those positions, so I'm not overly worried."

Stam also defended his side's physical approach in the 1-1 draw, after opposite number Slavisa Jokanovic said they had played "on the limit of the laws".

The Dutchman insisted: "I think it's a normal approach. In this league, there are teams who play more physically than we do.

"In these games, you need to be aggressive, you need to win your battles on the pitch – then when you have the ball you need to be a threat going forward."



http://www.westlondonsport.com/sport/reading-man-doubt-second-leg-stam-defends-tactics (http://www.westlondonsport.com/sport/reading-man-doubt-second-leg-stam-defends-tactics)

 
Fulham 1 Reading 1: Tom Cairney equaliser leaves Championship play-off semi-final in the balance

Jaap Stam, the Reading manager, believes this play-off semi-final is still finely balanced despite the loss of his captain and central defender, Paul McShane, to a red card late in Saturday's first leg. McShane was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Fulham's Kevin McDonald 10 minutes from time and will miss Tuesday's second leg at the Madejski Stadium and the Wembley final if Reading advance.

"McShane has been very important for us throughout the season but he's had injuries as well and other players needed to step up and they did well," Stam said. "We can win a game without Paul McShane. Other players can do that job and we are still confident. I've seen plenty today to say we can do it."

Reading took the lead after 53 minutes through Jordan Obita, who is also a doubt for Tuesday after leaving the pitch on a stretcher with a twisted ankle. Fulham, though, hit back with a goal by their captain, Tom Cairney, after an error by Reading goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.

The first half was played at a surprisingly hectic pace. After losing 5-0 at Craven Cottage in December, Reading might have expected to approach this game with caution but instead they pressed Fulham high up the pitch and looked to exploit space behind the defence.

It almost brought an early goal for Lewis Grabban, who was clean through on goal after a long forward ball came off a combination of Fulham central defenders Tim Ream and Tomas Kalas but the Reading man was too slow to appreciate the opportunity and the chance was gone.

Fulham, though, began to make more chances. Cairney narrowly missed from distance, Sone Aluko shot a foot wide after good work from Floyd Ayite and Scott Malone on the left, and Ayite ran out of ideas and space after a promising burst late down the same wing late in the first half.

But there was no such hesitation on the part of Obita in a similar position when Reading took the lead eight minutes into the second half. McShane won the ball on the halfway line and advanced through midfield before passing diagonally out to Obita on the left. He did not wait to be closed down and struck a low left-foot shot across Marcus Bettinelli and in off the foot of the far post.

Fulham responded and were level on 65 minutes. A clever passing move down the left ended with Ayite finding Malone, whose cross was well-hit but should still have been dealt with by Al Habsi. Instead he could only parry the ball, which bounced up off the turf for Cairney to head home.

Reading's challenges had been getting increasingly robust throughout the game, with the Fulham crowd noisily frustrated at the apparent reluctance of referee Stuart Attwell to take action. Ten minutes from time, McShane tangled with Fulham substitute Neeskens Kebano and appeared to have lost his balance as he then challenged McDonald. His studs made contact with McDonald's knee and Attwell showed him the red card after consulting an assistant.

Reading protested that McShane had been pushed by Kebano but to no avail. "He hits the player," Stam admitted. "He's trying to reach the ball and the player nicked it away and he was just a bit late."

Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic was pleased with his team's response to Reading's goal and promised more of the same at the Madejski. "We showed a good reaction after they scored," he said. "They didn't give us any space but we had many chances but we were not clinical enough. I expect something similar on Tuesday and I believe my players have strong enough ability and confidence to win the game."

Stam agreed the tie remains wide open. "Fulham is a very talented team with good players," he said. "Home advantage doesn't guarantee anything. We will have to work hard, and it's not only quality and ability. It's about your mind, stress, playing with heart and how much you want the result."



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/13/reading-1-fulham-1-tom-cairney-equaliser-leaves-championship/ (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/13/reading-1-fulham-1-tom-cairney-equaliser-leaves-championship/)

 
Fulham 1 Reading FC 1: Three quick-fire talking points

Jordan Obita was on target for Royals at Craven Cottage on Saturday evening

Reading and Fulham played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Craven Cottage.

After an end-to-end first half , left-back Jordan Obita opened the scoring for Royals shortly into the second half.

Fulham equalised through Tom Cairney when he headed home from close range.

Reading skipper Paul McShane saw red late on which means he will miss the second leg on Tuesday night.

Here are three quick-fire talking points from the game.

The game plan worked

Reading executed their game plan to perfection.

Jaap Stam played five at the back and managed to nullify Fulham's threats down the flanks.

They frustrated the hosts at every opportunity and restricted them to very few chances.

Despite not having many opportunities of their own, Reading managed to take one and give themselves a strong foothold in the tie.

Who replaces McShane?

Losing McShane is a massive. The captain is influential both on and off the field and is a superb leader.

There were no complaints with his red card and unfortunately it was a mistimed challenge that has dealt his side a big blow.

Stam has Tiago Ilori - who he bought on - to replace, or could even bring in Reece Oxford.

He may opt to go with four at the back as well. The manager does have options - but this is not one he would have liked to have had.

Wembley is on

Reading have a superb home record this season and they must be slight favourites for Tuesday evening.

Fulham will give them a tough test but with the backig of the Royals crowd, they have a great chance of progressing to Wembley.




http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-1-reading-fc-1-13031810 (http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-1-reading-fc-1-13031810)

 
Fulham 1-1 Reading: Full transcript of Slavisa Jokanovic's post match press conference

The full text of what the Whites boss had to say after his side's 1-1 draw with the Royals

Slavisa Jokanovic was, unsurprisingly, not completely satisfied after his Fulham side drew 1-1 with Reading in the play-off semi final first leg.

Jordan Obita had given the Royals the advantage on 53 minutes with a fine driving shot from just inside the penalty area.

Fulham could have crumbled under pressure but Tom Cairney struck back after Ali Al Habsi failed to gather Scott Malone's shot to equalise.

Paul McShane was sent off for a high challenge on Kevin McDonald and he will miss the second leg, while Obita was stretchered off after the final whistle.

Jokanovic remains confident that the Whites can get the job done at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday.

Below is the full transcript of his post match press conference.

His reflections on the game

We can not be completely satisfied not to win the game. I expected a hard and tough game. We find this situation in the pitch. I believe we could scored more and have won the game. The result is what it is. Everything is open for the game we're going to play on Tuesday night.

On the red card

Yes. It's very clear. I expected it and I believe it's fair.

On the handball in the build up to the goal

It can be a free kick. They touch the ball with a hand. It's a physical, complicated game. Sometimes referees make mistakes. It was a costly mistake for us. We must prepare and must be ready for Tuesday night.

On the response to falling behind

We could have been scared after they scored. They didn't give us much space to play today and pressed us hard. We needed to find our style and we kicked many long balls for Chris Martin. We found more space in the second half and after the red card. We moved the ball from one side to another. We created many chances. I believed we were going to win the game but it's normal. I didn't expect a 5-0 like we played in December. Everything is open and we must be strong and push hard Tuesday night.

On Reading's physicality

Reading chose the way for what they are normally doing. They don't give us space to accommodate. They started to look to play behind our centre back . They tried to find these gaps behind our defenders. I expect them to try similar in the away game.

On Reading's time wasting

This is completely legal their style. They put on the pitch a very strong and physical game. It's in the limit of the legal situation and they arrived with a clear plan and it's working for them and it worked for an hour. At the end, we find a way to score a goal and I believe we played better football than Reading played. Everything is open. At the end, this is what can normally be. We arrived in the game with the desire and intention for being in the next game with an advantage. We don't have it. We have to see Tuesday night.

On Tuesday's game

We are always confident. We have a chance to enjoy the game. We are showing clear progress this season. It's a different competition. Only one team will survive Tuesday night. I believe in my players that they're strong enough with enough confidence and they will play with enough confidence to win the game.

On the supporters

Our fans were fantastic. Today is probably the best atmosphere from my year and a half in this position. They always help us and they'll make enough noise and push us to win the game on Tuesday.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-1-1-reading-full-13031794 (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-1-1-reading-full-13031794)

 
Former Fulham boss gives his verdict on Whites' play-off draw with Reading

The Royals held on to draw in West London after Tom Cairney had cancelled out Jordan Obita's opener as Paul McShane saw red

Former Fulham defender and manager Kit Symons says the Championship play-off semi-final tie between Reading and the Whites is set up fantastically well after a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage today (Saturday).

The Royals held on to draw in West London after Tom Cairney had cancelled out Jordan Obita's opener for the visitors, with Reading skipper Paul McShane seeing red late on for a poor challenge on Kevin McDonald.

"Fulham deserved to at least get back in the game and it is nicely poised," he said speaking on Sky Sports after the game.

But Symons believes the tie is now finely balanced for the second leg at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday, with the former Portsmouth, Manchester City and Crystal Palace defender claiming that both sides will fancy their chances of making the Wembley final.

"I think it is set up fantastically well. Both teams will fancy their chances - Reading will at home and Fulham are very good away from home."

Meanwhile, Symons described Obita's opener for Royals as a "great strike", while he said he felt Reading goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi should have held on to Scott Malone's cross-cum-shot.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-fulham-boss-gives-verdict-13031818 (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-fulham-boss-gives-verdict-13031818)

 
Stam sums up a fiery first leg at Fulham

All eyes turn to Tuesday as Royals boss asks for fantastic fans' support!

"Of course, you want to win your games, but coming over here is not the easiest of games," Royals boss Jaap Stam reflected positively, after a Craven Cottage draw that takes us into Tuesday's second leg with absolutely all to play for.

"They've got a good team as well, otherwise they wouldn't have finished in the top six of the Championship, so it's good to get a draw.

"We started the game very well, very aggressively, not giving them time to play and we succeeded also in going forward and being a threat at times.

"Towards the end of the first half, they got a bit more time to play because we dropped deep too quick and we spoke about that at half-time.

"We also spoke about keeping those lines very close to each other and, when we win the ball, going forward down the sides. And it happened!

"Jordan Obita bombed forward, got that ball, and it was a great strike - he showed he has a great strike on him last week as well! And we went 1-0 up.

"Then it's a question of what you're going to do as a team - drop in and hold onto that 1-0 or are you going to play your own game and keep trying to go forward?

"Some players wanted to go forward, others went too deep too quick, and they get more possession as a result. And if you give them time and space, they can score goals which is exactly what they did."

A red card for Stam's skipper then threatened to hand the advantage to the hosts - something Fulham took full advantage of when we met them at the Cottage earlier in the season. But this time, Reading held firm!

"At 1-1, we get the red card. And we defended well after that, kept it tight, and we didn't give away many chances at all.

"The red card itself, I've seen it back now. He touched the player, but it wasn't deliberate. He wanted to go for the ball and Paul is a tough player, but he's fair. McDonald tapped that ball away from him and he was late in the tackle as a result.

"Macca has been very important for us this season, but he has been out with injury before and other players have stepped up and done a good job.

"Jordan twisted his ankle at the end too - he was stretching, trying to block a cross from Fredericks at the end, but there was no tension in the ankle and he twisted it as he landed. So we'll need to assess it now and see what the injury is.

"But as I say, we've got options - that's the good thing about having a big squad. Throughout the season we've had options to make changes."

Tuesday night is not one to miss! The travelling 2,000 were fantastic at Fulham...now we need Madejski Stadium roaring the Royals on to keep this season going a little bit longer.

"The fans were great, just as they were last weekend. And that's what we need again.

"We need their support and I've spoken about it many times. I'm happy with them and I think they're happy with us at the moment - so that's a good thing.

"Everybody is excited for Tuesday, but we won't get over-excited. We're playing with home advantage, but we're still playing against a very good side.

"They need to score, we need to score, so it's going to be a very interesting game between two sides battling against each other. Let's just wait and see what's going to happen.

"For now, we're happy with the draw. But there is a long way to go. And it's going to be a tough game."



Read more at http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/jaap-stam-post-match-fulham-a-play-off-semi-final-first-leg-3715445.aspx#LRSZDGkX4TrAqMd2.99 (http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/jaap-stam-post-match-fulham-a-play-off-semi-final-first-leg-3715445.aspx#LRSZDGkX4TrAqMd2.99)

 
Go For It Jokanovic – This 22-year Old Italian Defender Could Be A Sensible Signing For Fulham This Summer


Why Fulham Should Sign Francesco Vicari In The Summer

With their excellent Championship campaign still going ahead, Fulham are already looking to the summer and are thinking about completing a deal for SPAL centre-back Francesco Vicari.

Fulham's attacking play has been tremendous this season and their carefree approach has led to them being the joint top scorers in the league this season.  That swashbuckling style, however, can often land them in trouble at the back, so a typically robust Italian defender could be just what the side needs.

Tim Ream's experience at the back has been important this season but they'll need more than one calming influence back there next season, whichever league they are in. Vicari could provide that with the 22-year-old former Novara man having now played 100 first team games, all in an environment where defence is king. Not surprisingly, Vicari has received a couple of red cards in his time in Serie B too but one straight red in 100 games plus a dismissal for two bookings is probably not as bad as it could have been.

Tomas Kalas has been playing regularly alongside Ream this term but is only on loan from Chelsea. With the Czech Republic defender due back at Stamford Bridge at the end of the month, Fulham will need to act quickly to replace him and preferably on a permanent basis. Slavisa Jokanovic would be all too aware that, should they manage to keep most or all of their attacking talent, the forward areas will take care of themselves. He'd know that it's the central defensive area which needs special attention.

Austrian Michael Madl may stay at the club but doesn't appear to be the long-term answer at centre-back while exactly the same can be said of Ragnar Sigurdsson. With this in mind, along with the impending departure of Thomas Kalas, Fulham may need to bring in more than one centre-back for the challenges next season and so they cannot afford to pass up a good opportunity.

Players like Vicari by their very nature are enigmas. On one hand, they may not handle the speed of English football and can turn out to be disastrous signings. On the other though, they may prove to be defensive rocks and can be bought for very small fees. If Fulham sign Vicari, they could be bagging a great value defender.




http://soccersouls.com/2017/05/14/go-for-it-jokanovic-this-22-year-old-italian-defender-could-be-a-sensible-signing-for-fulham-this-summer/ (http://soccersouls.com/2017/05/14/go-for-it-jokanovic-this-22-year-old-italian-defender-could-be-a-sensible-signing-for-fulham-this-summer/)

 
Reading FC skipper Paul McShane was sent off in the Royals' 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage

READING FC: Danny Williams accuses referee of giving into the crowd after Paul McShane's play-off dismissal

DANNY Williams accused referee Stuart Attwell of being intimidated by Fulham FC supporters before showing Reading FC captain Paul McShane a straight red card in tonight's play-off semi-final.

Royals took a share of the spoils in the first leg after Tom Cairney responded to Jordan Obita's stellar opener at Craven Cottage.

The pressure was on however and Reading had to see out the last 11 minutes of the game with 10 men after skipper McShane lunged into a challenge and brought down Kevin McDonald.

But USA international Williams suggested Attwell had first reached for a yellow card before consulting with his assistant and sending McShane down the tunnel for an early bath.

"It was a tough and intense game," asserted Williams.

"The red card didn't help. I don't know if it was a straight red.

"Macca comes in a bit late but he's come from the front and McDonald goes down.

"He's a smart player, I would have done the same thing.

"The referee was intimidated by the crowd, he reached for a yellow first then he spoke to the linesman and gave the red.

"It was tough but the boys dug deep and that's a big compliment to them. They showed great character again and now it's down to us to make it happen on Tuesday."

Reading went into the game as outsiders – according to bookmakers – despite finishing above Fulham in the Championship table.

The Royals did not let the pre-match talk get the better of them and looked calm and composed on the ball before eventually taking the lead in the 53rd minute.

And Williams insisted the players were full of confidence throughout the match.

"I've said already that we have already overachieved this season," he continued.

"There is no pressure on us.

"If you told the fans we would finish in the top six, third actually above Aston Villa and Newcastle, then they wouldn't have believed you."

Fulham levelled the scores when Ali Al-Habsi's save rebounded straight to the unmarked Cairney, who nodded home from close range.

But Reading will take plenty of positives from the ground they were on the receiving end of a 5-0 thrashing at back in December.

And Williams wants his team-mates to give their all on Tuesday to rocket the Royals to Wembley for the play-off final.

"We have three days to rest our legs," he asserted.

"Recovery is key now.

"But that's like every other week in the Championship so it's the same routine.

"We would have taken a point, we would have taken anything but losing.

"We have to be switched on. Obviously the boys can be happy with today's result but not too happy because nothing is won yet.

"I think I prefer 1-1 to winning 1-0 because if you go into Tuesday with a lead then there is a tendency to lay back a bit.

"The boys need to stay sharp."

Reading Chronicle:

Williams wants Reading to go into Tuesday's match with confidence.

Should Tuesday's match end in a draw, the players will face extra time and possibly even penalties.

Both Reading and Fulham have a dismal record from the spot this season, missing seven each.

Fulham's Chris Martin missed a one at the Madejski Stadium back in January, squandering a golden opportunity to level the score line.

And Williams revealed Reading are yet to practice their spot-kicks.

"If it goes to penalties that makes it even more fun," he added.

"That's what the fans want to see.

"We've shown at home we can win against any team.

"It will be tough and we know that.

"(If it goes to penalties) I don't know if it comes down to luck or who is calmest.

"We haven't practiced them yet."




http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/15284656.READING_FC__Danny_Williams_accuses_referee_of_giving_into_the_crowd_after_Paul_McShane_s_play_off_dismissal/#articleContinue (http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/15284656.READING_FC__Danny_Williams_accuses_referee_of_giving_into_the_crowd_after_Paul_McShane_s_play_off_dismissal/#articleContinue)

 
'It was handball, the referee made a mistake' - Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic says Reading goal should not have stood

Danny Williams handled the ball in the build-up to Jordan Obita's goal

Slavisa Jokanovic says referee Stuart Attwell made a "costly mistake" during Fulham's 1-1 draw with Reading.

An entertaining Championship play-off semi-final first leg ended all square after Tom Cairney cancelled out Jordan Obita's opener.

But the Whites boss felt the visitors' goal should not have stood.

Stefan Johansen felt he was fouled in the middle of the park, before Reading's Danny Williams was then sent tumbling to the floor.

Neither was signalled as a foul by referee Attwell, but Williams felt he should have had a foul and clearly handled the ball on the floor before Reading broke and eventually scored through a fine left-footed Obita strike.

The Fulham manager was not impressed.

He said: "It can be a free-kick. They touched the ball with a hand. It's a physical, complicated game.

"Sometimes referees make mistakes. It was a costly mistake for us."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/it-handball-referee-made-mistake-13031981 (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/it-handball-referee-made-mistake-13031981)

 
Cairney keeps Fulham believing
by Dan on May 14, 2017


That rarest of things – a Tom Cairney header – kept Fulham's Wembley dream alive after a tempestuous Championship play-off semi-final first leg ended with the Whites and Reading level pegging. For a while, it appeared as if the Cottagers' play-off hoodoo would strike again, especially once Jordan Obita had rocketed the Royals in front with their first shot on target of the contest, but Fulham are far from the fragile side Slavisa Jokanovic inherited back in December 2015. Their feisty response to going behind demonstrated the character that carried them into the top six and it was fitting that Cairney, who has blossomed in the league's leading creative force since being handed the Fulham captaincy, both started and finished the move that drew the home side level.

Jokanovic would have felt that his side should have gone on to establish an advantage ahead of Tuesday's return leg at the Madjeski Stadium, especially when Reading skipper Paul McShane was shown a straight red for a horrid lunge at Kevin McDonald, but parity sets the stage for an intriguing denouement in Berkshire. Jaap Stam's side have only lost two home league games all season, whereas Fulham often appear far more suited to the counter-attack and have been one of the division's strongest performers on the road.

Reading eschewed the open and expansive approach that had seen them ripped apart at Craven Cottage in December, instead appearing to opt for a combination of cynicism and physicality designed to disrupt Fulham's flow. That it worked so successfully was in part down to the laissez-faire approach of Stuart Attwell, who declined to book four Royals offenders for robust challenges inside the first fifteen minutes, including Danny Williams, who had been dismissed on his last visit. When the official did eventually caution John Swift it was for egregious time-wasting ahead of a Reading corner, something that Attwell had allowed to occur from the fifth minute.

Fulham began cagily, something encapsulated by an almost calamitous collision between Tim Ream and Tomas Kalas that almost let Lewis Grabban sprint through on goal, and there were only fleeting flashes of the fluent football that had earned a play-off spot. The recalled Floyd Ayite and Scott Malone linked up down the left to fashion a glorious chance that Sone Aluko stubbed wide and Malone then lifted his own effort over the Putney End crossbar. Cairney, who lingered on the periphery of proceedings for much of the first period, curled an early sighter wide of Ali Al-Habsi's far post.

Jokanovic opted for Chris Martin as his lone forward and the Scottish international fought a running battle with Reading's three centre halves, with his lay-offs and link-up delivering crucial territory but little penetration. Ayite scampered away down the left in first half stoppage time but snatched at his shot and Fulham's profligacy in front of goal would be punished after the interval.

The home side were incensed that Attwell ignored both a clattering challenge on Stefan Johansen and a clear handball by Williams, but Fulham's defence was still far too easily parted by McShane's determination to carry the ball deep into enemy territory and when the centre back threaded a threatening pass into the path of the overlapping Obita, the wing-back rifled an unstoppable finish across Marcus Bettinelli and into the net via the inside of the far post. Suddenly, the Royals were buoyant and Yann Kermogant, the sort of striker from whom a moment of brilliance is not far away, almost doubled the lead with an ambitious dipping volley that barely cleared the crossbar.

Fulham's riposte was rousing. Martin pounced on a Reading defensive lapse and found the marauding Stefan Johansen, whose venomous shot was fielded by Al-Habsi. Jokanovic then threw on Neeskens Kebano, whose eager running immediately unsettled the Royals defence, and Cairney began to dictate matters from a more advanced midfield position. He sprayed a sensational one-touch pass out to Malone down the left and kept on running, becoming the beneficiary when Al-Habsi couldn't hold the left back's ferocious drive – heading past the goalkeeper from close. Reading had led for less than eight minutes.

Fulham couldn't fashion a second in an absorbing finale that was sparked by McShane's senselessly high tackle on McDonald. Ayite ballooned a drive into the Hammersmith End and, in the final minute of added time, Ryan Fredericks sent the most inviting of crosses across the face of goal – and no-one in a white shirt had gambled to be able to apply the finishing touch.

FULHAM (4-1-2-3): Bettinelli; Fredericks, Malone, Kalas, Ream; McDonald; Johansen, Cairney; Aluko (Cyriac 87), Ayite, Martin (Kebano 61). Subs (not used): Button, Odoi, R. Sessegnon, Parker, Piazon.

BOOKED: Malone, McDonald.

GOAL: Cairney (65).

READING (5-3-2): Al-Habsi; Gunter, Obita, McShane, Moore, Blackett; D. Williams, Evans, Swift (van der Berg 74); Kermogant, Grabban (Mendes 68; Illori 82). Subs (not used): Jaakola, Beerens, Popa, McCleary.

BOOKED: Swift, Kermogant.

SENT OFF: McShane (82).

REFEREE: Stuart Attwell (Nuneaton).

ATTENDANCE: 23,717.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/05/cairney-keeps-fulham-believing/ (http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/05/cairney-keeps-fulham-believing/)

 
Ryan Fredericks insists Fulham are still confident going into second leg tie against Reading

Tom Cairney got the goal to peg Reading back after Jordan Obita gave the away side the lead in the second half of the tie

Ryan Fredericks says Fulham haven't written themselves off and are confident going into the second leg after their 1-1 draw in their Play-off first leg tie.

Jordan Obita gave Readng the lead before Tom Cairney capitalised on a mistake by Ali Al-Habsi to nod in the equaliser in a game where Jaap Stam's side did a job on the hosts.

They didn't allow Fulham to play their usual style of football and pressured them high up the pitch, not allowing them time nor the ability to use the wings in either half.

The one time they did, however, Scott Malone found the cross that lead to the Fulham goal and Fredericks is confident his side can still do the job, despite going up against a side who have only lost twice at home all season.

He said: "We haven't written ourselves off and we have the second best away form in the league and they're going to have to come out.

"We're good on the counter attack and the game is still widely open and we fancy ourselves going into the second leg.

"The last ten games or so we've been playing the style the gaffer wants and beaten most teams we've played so as long as we keep playing our game and doing what we work on in training we shouldn't have any problems winning it.

"They set up well and I think they slowed it down whenever they had the chance, they're probably thinking they'd take a draw from the game and take it back to their place and will be confident.

"We knew we were in for a tough game, they finished third in the league for a reason and I have full respect for Reading and how they set up and play but it's our job to go and beat them."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ryan-fredericks-insists-fulham-still-13031812 (http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ryan-fredericks-insists-fulham-still-13031812)

 
Jokanovic – Fulham can win on Tuesday
by Dan on May 14, 2017


Slavisa Jokanovic insisted Fulham can go to the Madjeski Stadium and win on Tuesday after ten-man escaped from Craven Cottage with their play-off semi-final level following yesterday's first leg.

The Serbian head coach believed Fulham were the better side and that Tom Cairney's close-range header, which swiftly cancelled out a stunning strike from Jordan Obita, was the least his team deserved. Jokanovic told his post-match press conference after the final whistle:

    We cannot be completely satisfied. We didn't win the game but that happens to normal teams. I was expecting a hard, tough game. We found this to be the situation on the pitch, I believe we deserved to score some more goals and win the game but the result is a draw and everything is open for the game we are going to play on Tuesday night.

The Fulham boss felt that Reading's opening goal could have been ruled out for a handball in the build up by Danny Williams.

    It could have been a free-kick, they definitely touched the ball with the hand, and it's a physical, complicated game. Sometimes referees make mistakes and this time was a costly mistake for us but we must prepare, we must be strong and be ready for what we are going to find on Tuesday night.

He was quick to praise his players' reaction to going behind, though.

    Okay, we showed direction and we were not scared after they scored the goal. To be honest they didn't give us a lot of space to play today and they pressed us so hard.

    To be honest they didn't give us a lot of space to play today and they pressed us so hard. We kicked the ball so many times, so many long balls for Chris Martin. In the second half we started to find a little bit more space and we definitely found a bit more after the sending off. We started to move the ball from one side to the other and in the game we created many chances, but we were not clinical enough.

    I believe we could have won the game but this is normal. I didn't expect for us to win 5-0 like we did in December. It's Reading's choice of what they do, without giving us space for combinations immediately they started to look to play behind our centre backs.

    There were many times where they tried to find these gaps behind our defenders and I expect them to try something similar in the away game. We have to be strong and believe in the possibility to push hard on Tuesday night.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/05/jokanovic-fulham-can-win-on-tuesday/ (http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/05/jokanovic-fulham-can-win-on-tuesday/)

Fredericks full of confidence for second leg
by Dan on May 14, 2017


Ryan Fredericks is full of confidence that Fulham can book a place at Wembley for the Championship play-off final by beating Reading at the Madjeski Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The Whites head into the second leg level pegging thanks to Tom Cairney's second half header and Fredericks, who was a barnstorming presence on the right wing during the second half yesterday, believes that Fulham's excellent away record during the league run-in will stand Slavisa Jokanovic's side in good stead.

Fredericks told GetWestLondon's Fulham reporter Ryan O'Donovan after the final whistle yesterday:

    We haven't written ourselves off and we have the second best away form in the league and they're going to have to come out [and play]. We're good on the counter attack and the game is still widely open and we fancy ourselves going into the second leg.

    The last ten games or so we've been playing the style the gaffer wants and beaten most teams we've played so as long as we keep playing our game and doing what we work on in training we shouldn't have any problems winning it.

    They set up well and I think they slowed it down whenever they had the chance, they're probably thinking they'd take a draw from the game and take it back to their place and will be confident. We knew we were in for a tough game, they finished third in the league for a reason and I have full respect for Reading and how they set up and play but it's our job to go and beat them.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/05/fredericks-full-of-confidence-after-second-leg/ (http://hammyend.com/index.php/2017/05/fredericks-full-of-confidence-after-second-leg/)

Who is the idiot Williams who reckons the McShane tackle was jut about worthy of a yellow. It was a straight red the whole way. While I expect these people to look at Reading's performance through rose coloured glasses a little bit of honesty would not go amiss for that sort of incident

Quote from: Bill2 on May 14, 2017, 11:06:22 AM
Who is the idiot Williams who reckons the McShane tackle was jut about worthy of a yellow. It was a straight red the whole way. While I expect these people to look at Reading's performance through rose coloured glasses a little bit of honesty would not go amiss for that sort of incident

Crazy.  The report confirms my suspicion that the ref intended to show a yellow, thank goodness the Lino had a decent view.

Quote from: WhiteJC on May 14, 2017, 08:40:22 AM

Fulham v Reading: How did Derby County striker Chris Martin do in play-off semi-final?

Derby County striker Chris Martin started up front for Fulham in their Championship play-off semi-final against Reading on Saturday night.

Martin, on loan at Fulham from the Rams until the summer break, was largely anonymous as the Whites drew 1-1 with Reading.

The striker was replaced by Neeskens Kabano after an hour at Craven Cottage.

At that stage, Reading were leading 1-0 thanks to Jordan Obita. His low strike from the corner of the box hit the inside of the post and went in.

Within three minutes of Martin being replaced, Fulham had drawn themselves level as Reading goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi could only parry out Scott Malone's cross to Tom Cairney who headed home.

Reading's Paul McShane then saw red with just 11 minutes to go as he went in studs-up and over the top on Kevin McDonald.

Despite being a man light, Reading saw out the game to leave it all to play for at the Madjeski Stadium.



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/8203-fulham-v-reading-how-did-derby-county-striker-chris-martin-do-in-play-off-semi-final/story-30330721-detail/story.html#MipPuMP7OEMkwLcl.99 (http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/8203-fulham-v-reading-how-did-derby-county-striker-chris-martin-do-in-play-off-semi-final/story-30330721-detail/story.html#MipPuMP7OEMkwLcl.99)

Even the Derby Telegraph have noted he was anonymous. Come on Slav - keep him away from the first team. He's going to leave in the summer anyway and why risk losing out on promotion over playing a guy who wont be here next season.