Sunday Fulham Stuff (06/03/16)...

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Friday
Middlesbrough	2-1	Wolves
Saturday Results
Bristol City	0-2	Cardiff
Burnley	1-0	Blackburn
Brentford	1-2	Charlton
Derby	2-0	Huddersfield
Ipswich	1-0	Nottm Forest
Leeds	2-1	Bolton
MK Dons	2-0	QPR
Preston	0-0	Brighton
Reading	2-2	Fulham
Sheff Wed	0-1	Rotherham

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Reading 2-2 Fulham - Whites give away poor penalty but it's McCormack to the rescue

All the action from a lively Royals versus Whites Championship clash that ends in a point apiece at the Madejski Stadium


Foot in: Ryan Fredericks challenges Stephen Quinn

Fulham hotshots Moussa Dembele and Ross McCormack each added to their glorious goal tally - but their side was under the cosh for long spells.

It was definitely a point gained rather than two lost as Reading asked most of the questions after they went a goal behind.

The second half saw Andy Lonergan keeper, but their side held on - just.

After just seven minutes a marvellous McCormack corner and a fine header back across goal from Michael Madl set up Dembele perfectly to hook in from blank range.

The shot had no power - it didn't need it, even though keeper Ali Al Habsi got a despairing hand on the ball before it settled in the corner of the net.

Lonergan came and missed a corner that needed Richards to hack away at the back post. But straight back up the other end, Tom Cairney's shot proved too hot to handle.

Madl came rushing only to stumble under a challenge - and to rub salt into the wounds Ryan Fredericks was booked for a challenge on Ola John as Reading broke.

What Fernando Amorebieta was thinking only he will know when he nudged Hal Robson-Kanu on the edge of the box with the Royals man going nowhere.

The referee had a long hard look, but eventually awarded the penalty. The man felled got up to send Lonergan the wrong way with a deft stroke to the keeper's right.

It got worse when a clearance broke down on the edge of the Fulham box and the ball was slipped through to John who unselfishly centred for Robson-Kanu to plant a diving header into an open net from a yard.


Juggle: Chris Baird (L) takes on Ola John

Reading might have gone ahead further when Yann Kermorgant flashed across the face of goal barely 20 seconds into the second period.

But it was Whites who hit back.

A yard from the same spot where Amorebieta gave away a penalty, former QPR defender Anton Ferdinand did the same when he took out Fredericks.

With great aplomb, McCormack sent the keeper the wrong way for his 19th goal of the season.

The home side were seeing more of the ball for all that, and Lonergan did well to parry a hammered drive from John, even if was straight at the keeper.

But even though there were five minutes added time to withstand - they did, and this was a vital point towards Championship survival.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reading-2-2-fulham-whites-10995307?

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Reading FC 2 Fulham FC 2: Royals denied despite Robson-Kanu double

Ross McCormack's second half penalty earns Fulham a point at Madejski Stadium

The facts
Hal Robson-Kanu scored twice but Reading had to settle for a 2-2 draw after Ross McCormack's penalty earned Fulham a point at Madejski Stadium.

An exciting game saw the visitors strike early through Moussa Dembele, but Robson-Kanu levelled from the penalty spot on 24 minutes.

The Wales international then headed home his fifth goal of the season just before the interval before being forced off through injury at half-time.

And he was missed after the break, with Fulham fighting back to bag a share of spoils through McCormack's penalty.

The draw extends Reading's unbeaten run to six games - but they will feel this was a game they should have won having got themselves in front.

And you have to think would have had Robson-Kanu not been withdrawn early.

The 26-year-old, out of contract in the summer, was in fine form once again and his double turned the game on its head after Dembele had been left unmarked to head the visitors into an early lead.

His first goal came from the penalty spot midway through the half, sending Andy Longergan the wrong way after Fernando Amorebieta had needlessly brought him down in the box.

And he added his second four minutes before the break when he nodded home from point blank range after some excellent play down the left from Ola John.

It looked at that point that Reading would go on and make it four wins on the bounce, but Fulham had other ideas and levelled things up with a penalty of their own on 52 minutes.

There looked to be little on when Ryan Fredericks escaped down the right, but Jake Cooper hauled the winger down and McCormack made no mistake from the spot.

It was a gift for the visitors - and despite dominating the remainder of the game the hosts couldn't find a winner.

John went close on two occasions, but was denied by Longergan, while substitute Deniss Rakels had a penalty appeal waved away after he was sent tumbling in the box.

Reading: Al Habsi, Gunter (c), Obita, Ferdinand, Cooper, Hector, Norwood, Quinn (Rakels, 59), John, Robson-Kanu (McCleary, 46), Kermorgant.

Subs not used: Bond, Evans, Williams, Piazon, Cox.

Fulham: Lonergan, Richards, Madl, Amorebieta, Garbutt, Fredericks (Kacaniklic, 73), Baird, O'Hara (Tunnicliffe, 66), Cairney, McCormack, Dembele.

Subs not used: Lewis, Smith, Parker, Burn, Hyndman.

Attendance: 17,859 (1,728 Fulham).

Main man

Hal Robson-Kanu heads in to score his second goal.

Hal Robson-Kanu: The Wales international continued his fine form with a first half double.

He won a penalty himself, which he converted well, then added a second with a close range header from Ola John's cross.

Unfortunately he picked up an injury and had to be replaced at half-time, he was certainly missed after the break.

Bigger picture

Stephen Quinn is fouled.

Having got themselves in front, Reading will be disappointed not to have gone on and won this game.

They looked in complete control at 2-1, but one sloppy bit of play from Jake Cooper gave Fulham a lifeline which Ross McCormack wasn't going to pass up.

But the draw extends Royals' unbeaten run to six games and we once again saw them come back from a losing position following Moussa Dembele's early goal.

Alan Pardew was in the directors box watching the game and he will have headed back to Selhurst Park knowing his Crystal Palace side will not have it easy here next Friday in the FA Cup quarter-final.


http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/reading-fc-2-fulham-fc-10995902?

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Fulham earn point with battling draw at Reading

Fulham still hover too close to the Sky Bet Championship relegation zone for comfort after battling for a 2-2 draw at Reading.

Moussa Dembele gave them an early lead but they found themselves 2-1 down at half-time as Reading fought back.

Hal Robson-Kanu stroked in a penalty and then added a second with a header from close range.

Despite having to survive severe pressure in the second half, Fulham won a penalty on the break that leading scorer Ross McCormack converted to ultimately earn them a point.

Fulham had seen little upturn in fortunes since the appointment of new head coach Slavisa Jokanovic in December.

In his first 11 matches, Fulham won only twice. In total, they had won only three times in 21 games.

Reading, who face Crystal Palace at home in the FA Cup quarter-finals next Friday, had enjoyed better fortunes.

They had won three successive matches in the Cup and Championship and had suffered only two defeats in 13.

But it was Fulham who started the brighter, with McCormack wasting two good openings early on.

He soon made amends, though, when supplying a nicely flighted corner from the left in the eighth minute.

Michael Madl headed on unopposed at the far post and Dembele scruffily guided in his 13th goal of the season.

Fulham continued on the offensive, with home goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi forced to make a fumbling save from a fierce Tom Cairney drive.

But Reading drew level in fortuitous circumstances in the 24th minute, when Fulham defender Fernando Amorebieta senselessly barged over Robson-Kanu as the ball drifted harmlessly in a corner of the penalty area.

Referee Simon Hooper pointed to the spot and Robson-Kanu calmly sent Fulham keeper Andy Lonergan the wrong way.

Al-Habsi was again unconvincing, when just managing to save a 30-yard free kick from McCormack, but Reading nosed in front in the 41st minute.

Ola John escaped on the left and chipped a precise cross for Robson-Kanu to nod into the unguarded net.

Robson-Kanu was replaced at half-time, by Garath McCleary, due to injury but Reading almost increased their lead soon after the restart.

Oliver Norwood found Yann Kermorgant in space but the Frenchman's angled effort flew narrowly wide of Lonergan's far post.

Fulham appeared under the cosh but were level in the 52nd minute.

Jake Cooper clumsily felled Ryan Fredericks in the area and McCormack drilled in the penalty for his 19th goal of the season.

Reading forced the pace towards the end but Stephen Quinn, John three times, McCleary, Cooper and Kermorgant all squandered presentable chances as Fulham struggled to hold on for a draw.


Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/fulham/fulham-earn-point-with-battling-draw-at-reading-1802446.html?

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Instant Reaction: Reading FC 2-2 Fulham

Hal Robson-Kanu double not enough for Royals to see off the Cottagers.

Reading: Al Habsi; Gunter, Ferdinand, Cooper, Obita; Norwood, Hector; Robson-Kanu, Quinn, John; Kermorgant

Subs: Bond, Evans, Rakels, McCleary, Piazon, Williams, Cox.

Reading were left to rue missed chances against a struggling Fulham side, who were able to take a valuable point away from the Madejski Stadium.

The Cottagers burst out of the traps and were rewarded for their early pressure after just ten minutes. An overhit corner was sent back across the box by Michael Madl's header, which found the feet of Moussa Dembele, who was able to slot the ball home from close range.

Reading responded strongly, with Yann Kermorgant asking several questions of the Fulham defence and Ola John also posing a threat down the wing. Indeed, the Royals attacking play began to force the visitors into some reckless challenges, with Ryan Fredericks being shown a yellow card on 24 minutes for hacking down John, before Fernando Amorebieta conceded a penalty just a minute later, after he fouled Hal Robson-Kanu in the box. The Welshman was able to pick himself up and coolly send Andy Lonergan the wrong way to level proceedings.

The Royals continued to press, and on 41 minutes were able to take the lead through a lovely team goal. After a neat passing move, Ola John broke into the box before selflessly crossing to Robson Kanu, who was able to head home from close range to make it 2-1 before the break.

Robson Kanu however had to make way during the interval after failing to recover from a knock he had picked up during the first period, and was replaced by Gareth McCleary at the start of the second half. The Welshman's absence did not hamper the Royals' attacking prowess as Kermorgant continued to pester the Fulham defence and arguably should have scored after he had managed to beat the last defender before sending his effort wide.

The home side were then made to pay for not making the most of their chances, as referee Simon Hooper gave his second penalty of the day, this time for Jake Cooper's foul on Fulham's Fredericks. Ross McCormack stepped up to take the spot kick and levelled the scores, netting his nineteenth goal of the season in the process.

Trying to re-establish their lead, Reading went close with efforts from Stephen Quinn and Ola John, before McDermott set out to bolster his attacking options with the introduction of Deniss Rakels in place of the industrious Quinn on the hour mark. As the game entered its latter stages, it was the Royals who looked the more likely to find a winner, but despite several efforts on goal, they were unable to find a breakthrough. As the final whistle blew, the home side were left to rue what could have been on an afternoon where they had ample opportunity to take home all three points.


http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2016/3/5/11165578/instant-reaction-reading-fc-2-2-fulham

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Match report: Ipswich Town 1 Nottingham Forest 0 – Pringle nets again as Blues move to within point of play-off places

Ben Pringle scored the only goal of the game for the second week running as Ipswich Town beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 to move to within one point of the Championship play-off places.

Following on from his winner at Huddersfield, Pringle produced another smart finish in the box, his low shot going in off the inside of the post in the 63rd minute.

Town played some of their most aesthetically pleasing football of the season and dominated possession in a goalless first half, but Forest spurned four golden chances to break the deadlock. It was a less open affair after the restart and Ipswich got the goal from a well-worked move, then defended well when required to see out another vital victory.

A dismal start to 2016 had led to plenty of doom and gloom surrounding the club, with debates about spending, style of play, progress and ambition. And despite a lengthy injury list – Daryl Murphy and Jonathan Douglas now joining Ryan Fraser, Cole Skuse, Teddy Bishop and David McGoldrick on the sidelines – the Blues have shown great character and resolve to get their season back on track. Forest remain in 15th but have now lost four games in a row.

Blues boss Mick McCarthy made two enforced changes to his starting XI following the 1-0 win at Huddersfield, the injured duo of Jonathan Douglas and Daryl Murphy replaced by Luke Hyam and Kevin Bru. On the bench for the first time was 16-year-old academy midfielder Andre Dozzell, his father Jason having memorably made his Town debut aged just 16 in 1984.

Forest boss Dougie Freedman insisted pre-match that his team had nothing to lose, following three straight defeats, and insisted they would go on the attack. He made three changes to the team which lost 2-1 at home to Bristol City, Dexter Blackstock, Gary Gardner and Ryan Mendes replacing Jamie Ward (hamstring), Robert Tesche and Chris Cohen.

The week leading up to this game had been dominated by debate surrounding Town's decision to raise season ticket prices – albeit by just 1.5% – and the subsequent talk about whether football at Portman Road has provided 'entertainment value'.

Whether it was that, or the fact that Murphy was unavailable, it is not clear, but Town certainly played with an entirely different footballing philosophy. In fact, it was like watching a different team.

The full-backs played passes short instead of lumping it up the line, makeshift central midfielder Kevin Foley was always on the move, making angles and demanding the ball, while Freddie Sears, back in his favoured striker role, was a menace with his direct running and neat footwork.

And yet, for all the neat triangles and patient build-up from the hosts, it was Forest who created the first half's best goalscoring chances – four of them in fact.

In the third minute, Blues keeper Bartosz Bialkowski got down smartly to keep out Nelson Oliveira's 10-yard header with a strong wrist.

Ipswich then enjoyed the lion's share of possession and one decent move ended with Sears' near post effort turned around the post.

Forest's second good opening arrived in the 19th minute when, after Brett Pitman had given the ball away high up the pitch, Dexter Blackstock ran forwards before finding Nelson Oliveira with a pass into the box. The Benfica loanee's low, curling side-footed effort on the angle was turned around the post by a full-stretch Bialkowski.

The livewire Sears seized on a loose ball and drive forwards before stinging the palms of De Vries with a swerving 20-yard effort as Town continued to play some easy-on-the-eye football.

The visitors once again went close in the 25th minute though, centre-back Matt Mills losing his marker at a corner and clipping the top of the crossbar with a close-range header.

De Vries had to be quick off his line to punch a fine Bru deep delivery off the head off Pitman, while Michael Mancienne scrambled a low cross from Jonas Knudsen behind at the end of another free-flowing Blues move.

There was still time for Freedman's men to go close again though. This time, in the 45th minute, Ben Osborn's delivery from the left was inch-perfect and the late-arriving Gary Gardner headed just over from the edge of the six-yard box.

Mccarthy replaced Bru with Ainsley Maitland-Niles at the break. The football that followed was far less open.

In the 55th minute, the impressive Foley played the ball wide to Luke Chambers, carried on his run, got the ball back, but couldn't quite adjust his feet inside the box.

Forest looked short of ideas going forwards, but they did create an opening just after the hour mark when Oliveira lashed a shot across the face of goal.

Ipswich were organised and hard to break down. Pitman's rasping drive from 25 yards out stung the palms of De Vries, then Luke Hyam and Oliveira were booked following a tussle in the middle of the pitch.

When Freedman made a triple substitution in the 78th minute, a section of the 1,080 away fans chanted 'you don't know what you're doing'. Forest continued to huff and puff, Berra continued to defend superbly and Ipswich saw the match out.

IPSWICH TOWN (4-4-2): Bialkowski; Chambers (cpt), Smith, Berra, Knudsen; Bru (Maitland-Niles 46), Foley, Hyam, Pringle (Digby 90); Sears, Pitman (Varney 90).

Unused subs: Gerken, Tabb, Dozzell, Toure.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-4-2): De Vries; Lichaj, Mancienne (cpt), Mills, Jokic (Cohen 78); Mendes (Petravicius 78), Gardner, Vaughan, Osborn; Blackstock, Oliveira (Grant 78).

Unused subs: Evtimov, Wilson, O'Grady, Tesvhe.

Attendance: 20,658 (1,088 away)

Referee: Andy Woolmer.


http://www.sudburymercury.co.uk/sport/match_report_ipswich_town_1_nottingham_forest_0_pringle_nets_again_as_blues_move_to_within_point_of_play_off_places_1_4444867

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Reading 2-2 Fulham: Ross McCormack strike secures share of the points for Slavisa Jokanovic's side
Moussa Dembele gave the visitors an early lead with eighth-minute strike
A Hal Robson-Kanu brace put Reading back in control before half-time
Ross McCormack converted a penalty to earn share of the points

Fulham still hover too close to the Sky Bet Championship relegation zone for comfort after a battling draw at Reading.

Moussa Dembele gave them an early lead but they found themselves 2-1 down at half-time as Reading fought back.

Hal Robson-Kanu stroked in a penalty and then added a second with a header from close range.


Ross McCormack fires home a penalty in the second-half to secure a 2-2 draw at the Madejski Stadium

Despite having to survive severe pressure in the second half, Fulham won a penalty on the break that leading scorer Ross McCormack converted to ultimately earn them a point.

Fulham had seen little upturn in fortunes since the appointment of new head coach Slavisa Jokanovic in December.

In his first 11 matches, Fulham won only twice. In total, they had won only three times in 21 games.

Reading, who face Crystal Palace at home in the FA Cup quarter-finals next Friday, had enjoyed better fortunes.


Leading scorer McCormack converted from the spot to ultimately earn the visitors a point


They had won three successive matches in the Cup and Championship and had suffered only two defeats in 13.

But it was Fulham who started the brighter, with McCormack wasting two good openings early on.

He soon made amends, though, when supplying a nicely flighted corner from the left in the eighth minute.

Michael Madl headed on unopposed at the far post and Dembele scruffily guided in his 13th goal of the season.


Hal Robson-Kanu  had earlier stroked in a penalty and then added a second with a header from close-range

Fulham continued on the offensive, with home goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi forced to make a fumbling save from a fierce Tom Cairney drive.

But Reading drew level in fortuitous circumstances in the 24th minute, when Fulham defender Fernando Amorebieta senselessly barged over Robson-Kanu as the ball drifted harmlessly in a corner of the penalty area.

Referee Simon Hooper pointed to the spot and Robson-Kanu calmly sent Fulham keeper Andy Lonergan the wrong way.

Al-Habsi was again unconvincing, when just managing to save a 30-yard free kick from McCormack, but Reading nosed in front in the 41st minute.

Ola John escaped on the left and chipped a precise cross for Robson-Kanu to nod into the unguarded net.


Dembele scruffily guided in his 13th goal of the season to give Fulham an early lead

Robson-Kanu was replaced at half-time, by Garath McCleary, due to injury but Reading almost increased their lead soon after the restart.

Oliver Norwood found Yann Kermorgant in space but the Frenchman's angled effort flew narrowly wide of Lonergan's far post.

Fulham appeared under the cosh but were level in the 52nd minute. Jake Cooper clumsily felled Ryan Fredericks in the area and McCormack drilled in the penalty for his 19th goal of the season.

Reading forced the pace towards the end but Stephen Quinn, John three times, McCleary, Cooper and Kermorgant all squandered presentable chances as Fulham struggled to hold on for a draw.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3478283/Reading-2-2-Fulham-Ross-McCormack-strike-secures-share-points-Slavisa-Jokanovic-s-side.html#ixzz426WE9Vss
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Fulham and the five things we learned from a point gained at Reading

It's a hard won result for Whites and there were a number of points to come from the clash with the Royals - and here they are


Challenge: Stephen Quinn feels the tackle from Ryan Fredericks

Fulham went ahead, lost their way, and won themselves a penalty and a point - but did we learn from the 2-2 draw?

Believe us - this was a point gained rather than two lost
A mixture of stalwart defending and poor finishing from Reading produced a step closer to Championship safety.

Reading turned it on in the second half, and this could have gone the way of all flesh on a different day. It was all the more vital a result after Rotherham, in the last relegation place, also won.

Fulham started like a train - and then got shunted into the sidings
The first 15 minutes was all Fulham; lively, slick and full of running - and 1-0 into the lead to boot - and then Reading scored.

If Whites fans are being honest, the home side could have had a few more than one more goal.

Michael Madl continues to build a reputation in white (and away yellow)
Considering the money spent on two central defenders last summer, the best man in the heart of the Fulham defence currently is the loanee from the Austrian first division.

Madl did well in this game - again - and if Jokanovic is considering a summer list, the 27-year-old's name should be on it.

Well done the 1,728 Fulham fans at the Madejski
Given all things, and on top of a poor, poor display last week, the big following shows the loyalty to a side who have failed to set pulses racing in recent games.

Fernando Amorebieta - he's Marmite
Love him or hate him, he's never far from the action. The defender has loads of qualities, and he's brave. But that squeaky clean least-fouling club in the Championship that Fulham was a month ago is under threat.

The Venezuelan had already accrued three yellows and a red since his return from Middlesbrough. The challenge in the box for the Reading penalty with Robson-Kanu going nowhere was plain daft.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-five-things-learned-point-10995316?

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Head Coach Reaction

Slaviša Jokanović was pleased with the character shown by his side as they salvaged a point away to Reading on Saturday.

The Head Coach felt his men hadn't shown enough desire in the defeat to Middlesbrough last weekend, but he was impressed by a marked improvement in that department as the Whites took a point in Berkshire.

In an end-to-end encounter, Moussa Dembélé put the Whites in front but Hal Robson-Kanu levelled from the spot after he was clumsily fouled by Fernando Amorebieta.

Robson-Kanu headed the hosts in front four minutes before half-time after Fulham failed to clear their lines, but the Whites sealed a draw with a penalty of their own when Ryan Fredericks was fouled and Ross McCormack scored from 12 yards.

"We opened the game very well but then made some unnecessary mistakes," Jokanović told the assembled press after the game. "We showed some character in the second half, but it's true we need to be more solid. In the last 15 minutes they pushed us.

"Against Middlesbrough we didn't believe we could change the situation, today we tried to do that. That is what I expect.

"We dominated the beginning of the game, created chances but weren't clinical enough. I don't remember them having chances in the first half but they scored two goals. If you need to score three goals to win, it's complicated."

Asked if he felt the challenge by Amorebieta warranted a penalty, Jokanović replied: "Yes, it was a small push and the referee can interpret it like a penalty."

With teams below Fulham picking up wins, the point could prove important to the Whites and Jokanović stated: "If you cannot win three points, it's better to take one. In front of me is a very important job. I know I will find difficulty in this job but I'm here to fix the problem."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/march/05/jokanovic-reaction-reading

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Fulham boss's verdict on Reading draw and how he wished there were more like Amorebieta and Dembele - here's the reason why

Joka sees the good and the bad from the man who gave away the penalty for the Royals first goal - but brought more than he took away


Summary: Slavisa Jokanovic.

Fernando Amorebieta might have given away a penalty - but his boss was happy with the way the defender got stuck in.

Both he and Moussa Dembele were praised for their physical presence as Fulham struggled to a 2-2 draw with Reading.

Amorebieta's pointless shove in the box on Hal Robson-Kanu gave Royals a way back in after Dembele had put Whites ahead, but Slavisa Jokanovic could also see other sides to the defender's game.

The gaffer said: "It's kind of a characteristic of us our team that Moussa and Fernando were physical at the same level as Reading. In other parts of the pitch we were suffering.

"But without making chances in the second half we showed character, although we are suffering in this competition, and we need to be more sold.

"We started very well at the beginning; we dominated and scored but we weren't very clinical, and then we made many unnecessary mistakes on the way to this point.

"Was it a penalty (for the Reading first goal)? It was a small push and the referee could have gone one way or the other. At the beginning of the game, we dominated and scored we weren't very clinical."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-bosss-verdict-reading-draw-10995328?

[WhiteJC]

 
McCormack makes Fulham's point
by DAN on MARCH 5, 2016

Slavisa Jokanovic was left lamenting familiar failings as Fulham passed up a plausible chance to put more distance between themselves and the Championship relegation zone at Reading this afternoon. The visitors had dominated much of the first half, but two poor defensive errors saw them trail at the break, and a second-half spot-kick from Ross McCormack helped them hang on for a point by the final whistle.

The Serbian head coach could have been forgiven for thinking his side might have kicked on from a bright start that was crowned by Moussa Dembele's smart finish after Michael Madl had headed McCormack's corner back across the box. The Scottish striker had already spurned two glorious opportunities in the opening minutes and Fulham's confidence on the ball was beginning to show. Midfielder Tom Cairney was continuing the fine form he has displayed since Jokanovic's arrival in late December and he was unfortunate not to extend the visitors' lead when Ali Al-Habsi juggled with his powerful drive from distance.

But, as has so often been the case since Fulham dropped back into the Championship, a senseless defensive blunder offered the opposition a way back into the match. This time, Fernando Amorebieta ridiculously barged Hal Robson-Kanu in the back with the ball flying over the pair of them. Referee Simon Hooper had little option but to award a penalty, from which Robson-Kanu sent Andy Lonergan the wrong way. Reading had been slower to the ball and sluggish in the opening half an hour, but the momentum of the match changed following their equaliser.

They went ahead just before the break. Ola John, the younger brother of former Fulham forward Collins, galloped into oceans of space down the left and his wonderfully flighted cross gave Welsh international Robson-Kanu the simplest of tasks to slot home from around a yard out. Fulham's static defenders appealed in vain for an offside flag – but none was coming and Jokanovic would have been well within his rights to have right his side the riot act for squandering such a promising position at half-time.

Robson-Kanu was replaced by Garath McCleary at half-time having picked up a knock, but the Royals' resurgence was not dimmed in the slightest. They came close to extending their advantage just seconds into the second half. The impressive Oliver Norwood found former Charlton forward Yann Kermorgant and he swivelled and shot in one movement, but his effort flew just wide of Lonergan's far post. The home side continued to apply pressure to a shaky Fulham rearguard but their ambitions to go and dominate the second period were undermined when Ryan Fredericks found the space to burst into the box before being felled by Jake Cooper. McCormack calmly converted the spot-kick to score his first goal in four games and the game was level again.

The home side, now unbeaten in six and themselves drawing further and further away from the spectre of relegation, responded positively to the goal and could have gone in front less than five minutes later. A flowing move saw Stephen Quinn find space down the Reading left to rifle in an effort that was deflected behind and from the corner, John headed disappointingly over. The lively John brought a smart save out of Lonergan after creeping through the Fulham defence and only the quick reactions of Jazz Richards prevent Kermorgant from snaffling up the rebound.

In five minutes of stoppage time, both teams had opportunities to win it. John was denied by Lonergan's legs whilst Fulham substitute Alex Kacaniklic slashed a shot harmlessly wide of the near post. Jokanovic cut a disappointed figure at the end of the contest – but, in truth, this was an entertaining draw between two distinctly average sides. Fulham will have to improve greatly in order to challenge promotion chasing Burnley at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night.

READING (4-2-3-1): Al-Habsi; Gunter, Obita, Ferdinand, Cooper; Hector, Norwood; Quinn (Rakels 59), John, Robson-Kanu (McCleary 45); Kermorgant. Subs (not used): Bond, Evans, D. Williams, Piazon, Cox.

GOALS: Robson-Kanu (pen 24, 41).

FULHAM (4-4-1-1): Lonergan; Richards, Garbutt, Madl, Amorebieta; Baird, O'Hara (Tunnicliffe 67), Fredericks (Kacaniklic 73), McCormack; Cairney; Dembele. Subs (not used): Lewis, Burn, Hyndman, Smith.

BOOKED: Fredericks, McCormack, Tunnicliffe, Richards.

REFEREE: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire).

ATTENDANCE: 17,859

GOALS: Dembele (8), McCormack (pen 52).


http://hammyend.com/index.php/2016/03/mccormack-makes-fulhams-point/?