Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 01/01/20...

[WhiteJC]

The Fulham transfer masterstroke which is now playing a vital role in promotion push: Comment

This article is part of Football League World's 'Comment' series, this content strand is where the author of the article issues their personal opinion on the topic at hand....

Fulham made it back-to-back home wins over the weekend as they followed up their impressive 2-1 win over Leeds with a narrow 1-0 success against relegation strugglers Stoke City.

Scott Parker had been receiving criticism for his side's displays during a three-game losing run in early December, but his side have now cemented their spot in the Championship play-off zone after collecting seven points from their last three games.

Bobby Reid was on target for the West London outfit against the Potters as he tapped home Anthony Knockaert's rebounded effort, with this strike marking his third goal in two games following his brace against Luton last time out.

The attacker was signed on an initial season-long loan deal from Cardiff over the summer, and while it took him some time to find his feet within a lively attacking unit at Craven Cottage, he has now become a key part of Parker's plans.

Reid has now scored four goals and registered four assists during his 21 appearances for the Cottagers this term, while the fact he has now played the full 90 minutes for three consecutive matches is indicative of his growing importance to the side.

The 26-year-old has been showing some excellent movement off the ball throughout his time in a Fulham shirt, but the fact he is now starting to add consistent goals to his game means he can take pressure off Aleksandar Mitrovic to keep finding the net.

Fulham have heavily depended on Mitrovic at times this season given he has netted 18 goals in 24 appearances for Parker's side, but Reid's goalscoring form now means that Fulham have added another focal point to their attacking set-up.

It is certainly still important that Mitrovic keeps hitting the target during the second half of the campaign, but having another facet to their attack in Reid means Fulham can now start hurting their opponents in more ways than just one.

Parker must now continue to place his trust in Reid by giving him more 90-minute appearances over the coming weeks, as there is every possibility that the former Cardiff man now holds the key to Fulham's promotion chances this term.

A promotion-challenging team must have a number of attacking players they can rely on to consistently produce the goalscoring goods, and Reid's recent form suggests he is now capable of taking on this mantle alongside Mitrovic.

Cardiff will now be regretting the fact Reid failed to make himself at home at Cardiff, while Fulham fans are now starting to appreciate their club's excellent piece of business in landing the attacker.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/the-fulham-transfer-masterstroke-which-is-now-playing-a-vital-role-in-promotion-push-comment/

[WhiteJC]

The expected Reading XI Bowen is likely to play on New Year's Day v Fulham

Reading make the short trip to Fulham on New Year's Day aiming to make it four wins in a row, as they look to make a surge for the top-half.

The Royals have been in sensational form over the Christmas period, and it has seen them keep four clean sheets in a row and climb into 14th in the Championship table.

There doesn't look to be any sign of a relegation battle looming for the club this season, but after the win at Deepdale, Royals fans may have their sights set on much higher positions.

Here's the expected XI that Bowen will play on New Year's Day against Fulham...

Reading will head into this fixture with an abundance of confidence flowing through their veins as they prepare to face Fulham.

Bowen is expected to keep an unchanged lineup for the game, this would be the Royals' third successive league game with the same XI starting the match, something that can provide consistency to performances.

In the defence, performances have been superb from all four of them. Tyler Blackett got two assists in the victory over Preston on Sunday and has done a fantastic job in keeping Jordan Obita and Omar Richards out of the team.

Reading are now on a run of four clean sheets in a row, and a big part of that has been down to the growing partnership of Michael Morrison and Liam Moore.

In midfield, Charlie Adam has been excellent in recent weeks and is showing why he was once one of the Premier League's most sought after players. In front of him, John Swift and Ovie Ejaria have been exceptional and constantly provide the Royals with goal-scoring opportunities.

Lucas Joao is expected to keep his place at striker, and carry on his good run of form, as he's found the net in four of his last six games. Reading will have to be at their best to get a result at Fulham, but there's no reason why they can't going off recent form.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/the-expected-reading-xi-bowen-is-likely-to-play-on-new-years-day-v-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Ahead of the game | 2020 starts at Craven Cottage

The New Year starts with a short trip to London to face The Cottagers

All you need to know ahead of the Royals' trip to Craven Cottage on Saturday 1st January, kick-off 3pm.

11 points out of a possible 15, five games unbeaten and four consecutive clean sheets - Reading hope to continue their fine form against high-flying Fulham.

As the curtains lift on 2020, the Royals will make the short journey to Fulham in search of continuing their impressive string of results during December.

The game at Craven Cottage will be the last of a non-stop festive period, in which Reading have played seven games in just under four weeks. After the 90 minutes in Fulham, attention will turn to FA Cup action, with the Royals hosting League One outfit Blackpool.

But Fulham is a tough hurdle to jump, with the Cottagers sitting in 3rd in the Sky Bet Championship, with some free-flowing attacking football. Scott Parker's side will be full of confidence after picking up seven points in their last three games over Christmas.

And the reverse fixture at Madejski Stadium back in October was a night to forget for the Royals, with an early dismissal and a loss on the night.

Nevertheless, it will be an entertaining affair in the Sky Bet Championship, bound to start 2020 off with a bang!

Tickets

Reading Football Club have sold-out their away capacity, so no tickets will be on sale. Great work, Royals fans!

Match officials

The man with the whistle for the game will be Geoff Eltringham. The referee's festive schedule consisted of Hull vs Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day, which Forest claimed all three points. And the most recent was West Brom vs Middlesbrough, where Middlesbrough shocked the league leaders and won 2-0. In these two fiercely contested games, the referee brandished a total of 13 yellow cards.

The referee will be assisted by Rob Smith and Sam Lewis, and the fourth official for the afternoon will be James Durkin.

Travel

One of the shorter trips in the calendar, Craven Cottage is clocking just under 40 miles. Depending on traffic on the day, journey time may total just over an hour.

Reminder

We wish to politely remind supporters that the football club is responsible for their conduct at all matches (home or away) and any person committing a football-related offence or involved in serious misconduct at any match will result in a club ban. Examples of serious misconduct include discriminatory, offensive or abusive chanting, entering the pitch, persistent standing and throwing a missile. Supporters witnessing any incidents of serious misconduct are encouraged to report this to the football club by texting 80800, beginning your message with the word SAFE.



https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2019/december/ahead-of-the-game--2020-starts-at-craven-cottage/

[WhiteJC]

New Year's Day Live On FFCtv

Fulham supporters worldwide can watch live coverage of Fulham's New Year's Day fixture against Reading tomorrow on FFCtv - kick-off 3pm (GMT).

Match Passes are available to purchase now, priced at £5 for fans overseas fans and £10 for supporters in the United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland. This fixture is also the last included in the Festive Bundle, overseas fans who have already purchased this pass will not require to buy another.

With four-camera coverage and commentary from Gentleman Jim, the live broadcast begins on Wednesday 1st January from 2:30pm and will be available to watch online at https://tv.fulhamfc.com/ or via the FFCtv App.

For fans wishing to watch or listen to this fixture, please be sure to follow the below steps:

Using a desktop computer:

• Log-in to your FFCtv account by visiting https://tv.fulhamfc.com/ and clicking LOGIN, located in the top right hand corner.

• If you have yet to purchase a Match Pass or subscription, choose your package and follow the steps to buy.

• Once purchased, to then view the game on desktop simply click on the FFCTV LIVE tab on https://tv.fulhamfc.com/ which will bring up the live video feed (from 2.30pm) for the Reading fixture.

• To listen to audio commentary only, click on the adjacent AUDIO COMMENTARY tab.

Fans are reminded that if viewing the website tv.fulhamfc.com on a mobile or tablet browser (i.e. Safari on an iPhone or Chrome on an Android device) the live stream will not show. To watch on mobile or tablet, you must watch via the FFCtv App.

For mobile and tablet:

• Purchase a package by visiting https://tv.fulhamfc.com/ on a mobile or desktop browser.

• Open the official FFCtv App and log-in via the ACCOUNT tab located in the bottom right of the screen.

       o Fans yet to download the FFCtv App can do so via the Apple App & Google Play stores.

• Log in to your account.

• Once logged in, you should see LISTEN LIVE and WATCH LIVE buttons accessible via the TV, LIVE and MATCHES icons at the bottom of the screen.

Fans are reminded that the previous Fulham FC app will not show live video coverage or provide live audio commentary. To access live content please download the new FFCtv App.

For any specific questions relating to playback on your desktop or mobile/tablet device please contact [email protected].

Anyone who experiences difficulties subscribing to FFCtv should email [email protected]. Fans are advised to test their login prior to kick-off.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/december/31/ffctv-watch-fulham-v-reading-live

[WhiteJC]

The latest Fulham injury news right here

Fulham host Reading in the Championship tomorrow.

Scott Parker's Fulham will look to kick-start 2020 with a win when they welcome Mark Bowen's Reading tomorrow afternoon.

Both sides will take a bit of form into the fixture as well – Fulham unbeaten in three after starting the month with three-straight defeats, whilst Reading are unbeaten in five, having won their last three.

For the game tomorrow, Fulham will be without Maxime Le Marchand – the Frenchman has not featured since early November having picked up a muscle injury in the 1-0 win at Birmingham City.

Also a doubt for the clash tomorrow is Alfie Mawson. The 25-year-old was forced off after 66-minutes against Stoke with a suspected muscle injury, and it's expected that he'll miss the game against Reading – his injury though is only thought to be short-term.

They will be Parker's only absentees tonight, with Harry Arter to undergo a late fitness test.

Arter, on-loan from Bournemouth, has been sidelined since mid-October but has been nearing a return to action, and could well feature tonight.

Fulham overcame Stoke City 1-0 in their last outing but saw Josh Onomah limp-off injured in the first-half – it's not thought to be a serious injury, and he should be in contention for tonight's game.

A win for Fulham would secure their spot in 3rd whilst a loss could see them drop out of the top-six altogether, depending on other results.

Reading meanwhile can only move up a place from 14th, with a game in hand on 13th Blackburn who have a four-point lead over them.

It's bound to be an exciting encounter tomorrow and one that either side can win, and will want to win.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/the-latest-fulham-injury-news-right-here/

[WhiteJC]

Moments Of The 2010s: Royals Topple Media Darlings Fulham In Play-Offs

A Yann Kermorgant penalty sent the Royals to Wembley.

Winning play-off semi-finals are always special moments, but they're made even sweeter when you prove wrong pundits, bookmakers and opposition fans in the process.

As much as it was a surprise to supporters and indeed statisticians, Reading finished third in the Championship in 2016-17, not dropping out of the top six from the end of October onwards. Their tally of 85 points was five more than Fulham, who finished sixth. Of course this means nothing in the lottery of the play-offs, but neither does form, even if you've won five of your last six games like Slaviša Jokanović's side.

But Fulham played attractive, attacking football. Fulham scored lots of goals. Fulham had Tom Cairney and 16 (SIXTEEN)-year-old Ryan Sessegnon. There was no way they were going to lose to Reading. They were getting promoted, and there was nothing any other team could do about it.

No one told Jaap Stam's side that. Or maybe they did, because the Royals navigated the tie expertly, coming away with a respectable draw from the first leg away from home before emerging victorious at the Madejski Stadium.

The game at Craven Cottage is certainly up there as one of the great away days of the decade. Reading sold out their allocation in West London, and supporters saw their team go ahead through one of our own as Jordan Obita popped up on the left-hand side with a superb strike that cannoned off the post and into the back of the net. Tom Cairney equalised for Fulham, but the Royals held on for a draw despite Paul McShane's red card with ten minutes to go.

A Yann Kermorgant penalty decided the second leg in Berkshire - the Frenchman exorcising his own demons having missed a spot-kick in the play-offs for Leicester City seven years previously. It capped a remarkable season for Kermorgant, who at 35 years old had his best goalscoring campaign with a final tally of 19. Another key veteran, Ali Al Habsi, made a number of vital saves to deny Fulham a route back into the tie. A special shout out to George Evans too, who had one of his best games in a Royals shirt, shutting down the visitors' threat in the middle of the park.

It was clear from the scenes at full time just how much it meant to all players - they gave absolutely everything that night to defy the odds and progress to the final. There's something about the Madejski Stadium under the lights in crucial games that sees unforgettable memories created.

Ultimately that night would prove to be the peak of the Jaap Stam era, as heartbreak at Wembley would follow before a difficult second season for the Dutchman culminated in his sacking in March 2018.



https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2019/12/31/21040269/moments-of-the-2010s-royals-topple-media-darlings-fulham-in-play-offs-reading-fc

[WhiteJC]

'Great news!' – These Fulham fans react as club make significant player reveal

Fulham have announced new contracts for duo Kevin McDonald and Aboubakar Kamara.

This will see McDonald stay at the club until 2021, whilst Kamara has signed until 2024. It will have come as a boost for Fulham supporters who will now be targeting promotion with a more settled squad this season.

Kamara has been impressive in the current campaign, and has seemingly improved in terms of his attitude. The 24-year-old has also shown that he can fill the void of Aleksander Mitrovic when he's out, as he scored two against West London rivals QPR when leading the line.

McDonald's experience will come in handy, and having been promoted in previous years with Fulham, he knows exactly what it takes to get to the Premier League.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/great-news-these-fulham-fans-react-as-club-make-significant-player-reveal/

[WhiteJC]

Bowen gives verdict on Reading's festive form ahead of Fulham fixture

Reading manager Mark Bowen has said that his side 'is a match for any team in the league' ahead of their New Year's Day trip to Fulham.

On the fifth game of Christmas, Reading gave their fans a 2-0 win away at Preston in the Championship, taking their December tally to 11 – no team has more points this month than Bowen's.

They're unbeaten through December having won the last three, and conceding just once all month.

It's placed them in 14th for the trip to 3rd-place Fulham tomorrow and speaking to www.readingfc.co.uk ahead of the game, Bowen spoke of his caution at facing the Londoners, and doesn't want his team to take any complacency into the Cottage:

"We've got a very difficult game coming up now against Fulham, so we have to wipe ourselves down and recover, and make sure we go there and get something again," explained the 56-year-old.

"We know to expect a difficult afternoon against a really accomplished side.

"This league is brutal and unforgiving, so if you take your eye off the ball or look too far ahead, you can quickly take two steps backwards. So we need to make sure we're professional and do the job in hand and keep climbing the table.

"The players have confidence and we know we're a match for any team in the league, if we do things right."

Bowen's initial appointment was met with stern criticism from Royals' fans but it's not taken long for the Welshman to win them over – he's taken 24 points from a possible 39 in charge.

"Our biggest danger ahead of Preston was that we had won a couple and kept three clean sheets," continued Bowen. "It would have been easy to pat ourselves on the back and told ourselves that even if we'd been beaten, it had been a decent Christmas.

"But that's not good enough and we have a lot of catching up to do. We want to keep pushing on in every single game we play. And now, ahead of Fulham, my players are fully focused and ready for the battle ahead."

A win for Reading can only take them up a place to 13th but a loss for Fulham could throw them out of the top-six depending on other results.

The verdict

Reading and Bowen have been quietly going about their business and their results this month show that they're here to compete.

They'll be raring to go again at Fulham and to keep their momentum going, but it won't be easy. Fulham have some of the best players in the Championship and if Reading want to keep them at bay, they'll need a huge team performance.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/bowen-gives-verdict-on-readings-festive-form-ahead-of-fulham-fixture/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham v Reading
WED 01 Jan 2020  Championship
Venue: Craven Cottage

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is the Championship's top scorer this season, with 18 goals

Alfie Mawson, Josh Onomah (both illness) and Tom Cairney (calf) are doubts for Fulham after all three went off during Sunday's 1-0 win over Stoke.

On-loan midfielder Harry Arter is still working his way back from a calf problem, while defender Maxime Le Marchand is also sidelined.

Reading manager Mark Bowen has no new injury worries but is considering making changes to his starting XI.

The Royals made it three straight wins with victory at Preston last time out.

Striker Sam Baldock could be an option for Bowen after resuming training and Romanian forward George Puscas is also regaining fitness.

Fulham will begin the day third in the table, nine points off the automatic promotion places, while Reading are 14th, seven points adrift of the play-off spots.

Match facts

    Fulham are looking to win three consecutive league matches against Reading for the first time in over 20 years.
    Reading have lost their last four league matches at Fulham since a 4-2 Premier League win in May 2013.
    The Royals have not won in five attempts on New Year's Day since beating West Ham United 6-0 in the Premier League in 2007.
    Fulham pair Tom Cairney and Aleksandar Mitrovic both bagged a brace when the Cottagers won 4-1 at the Madejski Stadium on 1 October. Each player scored with both their shots on target.
    Yakou Meite scored Reading's goal that day, but his two appearances for the Royals against Fulham have both ended in heavy defeats (having also been in the side that lost 5-0 in December 2016).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50908502

[WhiteJC]

The expected Fulham XI Parker is likely to play on New Year's Day v Reading

Fulham host Reading in the Championship tomorrow, in their first game of the New Year.

A 1-0 win at home to Stoke City last time out gave Fulham a happy ending to what's been a turbulent year.

Relegation from the Premier League and now a season of ups and downs under Scott Parker, but with his side in 3rd-place of the Championship table going into 2020, little more could've been asked of the 39-year-old.

They face a Reading side tomorrow who've picked up more points than anyone in December, having won three and draw two, conceding just one in those five games.

A hard-fought encounter it'll surely be tomorrow, and here we take a look at the starting eleven that Parker is expected to name:

Fulham have a slight centre-back crisis now after the injury to Alfie Mawson against Stoke – the 25-year-old was forced off after 66-minutes with a suspected muscle injury and is likely going to miss the game tomorrow.

With back-up defender Maxime Le Marchand also ruled out, Cyrus Christie may be forced into the middle alongside Tim Ream.

That leaves Parker with Marek Rodak in goal, Joe Bryan at left-back and Denis Odoi on the right.

Fulham will more than likely field a 4-3-3 tomorrow, with Tom Cairney and Harrison Reed keeping their spots.

Josh Onomah was the third man in that midfield on Sunday and having played a lot of football through December, expect Parker to rest him for the more technical Stefan Johansen.

The front-three for Fulham worked well against Stoke despite only scoring one goal, so expect to see Anthony Knockaert on the right and Bobby Reid on the left, with the Championship's top-scorer with 18 in the middle, Aleksandar Mitrovic.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/the-expected-fulham-xi-parker-is-likely-to-play-on-new-years-day-v-reading/

[WhiteJC]

Noel Whelan tips Aleksandar Mitrovic for Everton move, but doesn't think it'll happen

Football Insider pundit Noel Whelan has tipped Aleksandar Mitrovic as the man Everton need in the January transfer window, but he doesn't believe a move will happen.

What has he said then?

Well, despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin reaching double figures for the season following his brace in the 2-1 win against Newcastle United at the weekend, Whelan feels that Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti needs another regular goalscorer in his ranks.

That is probably a fair assessment given the other out-and-out centre-forwards in the squad – Moise Kean, Cenk Tosun and Oumar Niasse – have one Premier League goal between them in 2019/20.

The former Leeds United man believes that Mitrovic would be an ideal candidate for a transfer to Goodison Park having netted 18 goals in 24 Championship appearances this term, although has raised his doubts as to whether it would actually happen.

The 45-year-old told Football Insider: "One thing that they have to do at Everton is get a goalscorer, get someone that's going to get you 20 goals a season.

"Mitrovic would be great, he would have been perfect but it looks like he wants to stay at Fulham."

Would he be a good signing?

He certainly would be.

The 25-year-old has plenty of experience of playing in England and the Premier League – unlike Tosun and Kean when he joined – and he has a decent goalscoring record.

34 in 66 Championship appearances and 21 in 77 in the top flight show what he is capable of, and he has proven previously that he isn't afraid to put himself about and can score all types of goals.

In addition, he has a remarkable 34 goals in 55 caps for Serbia too, showing what a prolific and consistent goal-getter he really can be.

It would certainly be interesting to see him alongside someone like Calvert-Lewin, with The Liverpool Echo reporting previously that Ancelotti prefers to have a workhorse alongside a goal-getter up top in his preferred 4-4-2 formation – Mitrovic and the 22-year-old would certainly fit the bill in that regard.

Whelan believes he won't be leaving Fulham in the New Year however, which could put an end to any potential transfer should Everton bring in someone else during the upcoming window.



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/everton/noel-whelan-aleksandar-mitrovic-transfers-ancelotti

[WhiteJC]

Parker: Fans Drive Us On

Scott Parker is hoping his side give the fans plenty to shout about again when we host in-form Reading at Craven Cottage.

The Royals have really found their feet of late under new manager Mark Bowen, but Parker wants his Fulham team to start 2020 the same way they ended 2019.

"Mark's done a very good job there," Parker told FFCtv. "They're on the back of four clean sheets on the bounce and coming off the back of a very good result against Preston.

"It's a different team to the one we faced earlier on in the season. I thought we played very well on that day, I know they had a man sent off in [John] Swift, but certainly we played some lovely stuff.

"We realise the challenge ahead. We have to take into consideration this time of year and how quickly the games are coming but, as always, we'll prep as well as we can in the short turnaround and try and cause Reading as many problems as we can.

"We're looking forward to it after a good result against Stoke. We're going into this game on New Year's Day, hopefully the fans come with their voices and they can get behind the team.

"I've said it many times before this year; when the fans are there in full voice, it gives this team another level."

Three players departed the action prematurely in the win over Stoke City, but Parker will give them as much time as possible to recover.

"There are a few niggles and it's such a late turnaround that we're going to have to make a late call on the morning of the game," he revealed.

"The game comes a bit too early for Harry Arter, but other than that I can't really say anyone will definitely be out, because it will be a late call."

For clarity, our Head Coach also confirmed that January arrival Michael Hector will not be in the squad on Wednesday: "Michael Hector's not eligible, his first eligible game will be at the weekend against Aston Villa."




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/december/31/scott-parker-fans-drive-us-on

[WhiteJC]

The 3-point plan Fulham must utilise to get 2020 off to a flyer v Reading

Fulham host Reading in the Championship tomorrow in their opening game of 2020.

What started as a disastrous month for Fulham has ended on fairly good form – a 1-0 win over Stoke City last time out kept Scott Parker's side in 3rd-place of the Championship table and gives them a run of three unbeaten going in the New Year.

But they face a Reading side who've taken more points than any other team in the Championship this month.

Their 2-0 win at Preston last time out gave them their 11th point of the month and leaves them on a five-game unbeaten run, winning the last three.

It'll no doubt be a hard-fought encounter at Craven Cottage tomorrow, and here we take a look the 3-point plan that Fulham must implement to get their 2020 off to a winning start:

Same front-three
Although Fulham only out one past Stoke in their last outing, the front-three looked as strong as it has all season – Anthony Knockaert had one of his best games in a Fulham shirt whilst Bobby Reid continued his goal-scoring form.

Aleksandar Mitrovic though has looked a bit dry in recent weeks but he remains the league's top-scorer with 18 for the season, having scored three this month.

Parker will likely stick with the same front-three and if they can play like they did against Stoke, the Reading defence will be in trouble.

But Mark Bowen's side have conceded just one goal in five fixtures through the festive period, and breaching them will be tough for the Cottagers.

Get Sessegnon more involved
Steven Sessegnon has made his long-awaited return to first-team action this month having come off the bench against Leeds and then against Stoke.

His return gave the home crowd a lot to cheer about and having missed a lot of the opening half of the season, he'll be looking to have a strong second.

The 19-year-old can fit in nicely at left-back and with Joe Bryan being no stranger to criticism this season, that spot could well be Sessegnon's in time.

Stick with Reed
The same can be said about Harrison Reed – he missed a lot of football through November but made his return to action this month and having started the last three for Fulham, had quickly reasserted his spot in the starting line-up.

He's their best player in that defensive midfield role and is keeping the likes of Stefan Johansen on the bench, which shows how highly Parker rates him.

Fulham look more solid with Reed in the middle and expect to see him play a big part in the second-half of the season for his side, given he refrains from injury.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/the-3-point-plan-fulham-must-utilise-to-get-2020-off-to-a-flyer-v-reading/

[ffcne]

Moments Of The 2010s: Royals Topple Media Darlings Fulham In Play-Offs

A Yann Kermorgant penalty sent the Royals to Wembley.

Winning play-off semi-finals are always special moments, but they're made even sweeter when you prove wrong pundits, bookmakers and opposition fans in the process.

As much as it was a surprise to supporters and indeed statisticians, Reading finished third in the Championship in 2016-17, not dropping out of the top six from the end of October onwards. Their tally of 85 points was five more than Fulham, who finished sixth. Of course this means nothing in the lottery of the play-offs, but neither does form, even if you've won five of your last six games like Slaviša Jokanović's side.

But Fulham played attractive, attacking football. Fulham scored lots of goals. Fulham had Tom Cairney and 16 (SIXTEEN)-year-old Ryan Sessegnon. There was no way they were going to lose to Reading. They were getting promoted, and there was nothing any other team could do about it.

No one told Jaap Stam's side that. Or maybe they did, because the Royals navigated the tie expertly, coming away with a respectable draw from the first leg away from home before emerging victorious at the Madejski Stadium.

The game at Craven Cottage is certainly up there as one of the great away days of the decade. Reading sold out their allocation in West London, and supporters saw their team go ahead through one of our own as Jordan Obita popped up on the left-hand side with a superb strike that cannoned off the post and into the back of the net. Tom Cairney equalised for Fulham, but the Royals held on for a draw despite Paul McShane's red card with ten minutes to go.

A Yann Kermorgant penalty decided the second leg in Berkshire - the Frenchman exorcising his own demons having missed a spot-kick in the play-offs for Leicester City seven years previously. It capped a remarkable season for Kermorgant, who at 35 years old had his best goalscoring campaign with a final tally of 19. Another key veteran, Ali Al Habsi, made a number of vital saves to deny Fulham a route back into the tie. A special shout out to George Evans too, who had one of his best games in a Royals shirt, shutting down the visitors' threat in the middle of the park.

It was clear from the scenes at full time just how much it meant to all players - they gave absolutely everything that night to defy the odds and progress to the final. There's something about the Madejski Stadium under the lights in crucial games that sees unforgettable memories created.

Ultimately that night would prove to be the peak of the Jaap Stam era, as heartbreak at Wembley would follow before a difficult second season for the Dutchman culminated in his sacking in March 2018.



https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2019/12/31/21040269/moments-of-the-2010s-royals-topple-media-darlings-fulham-in-play-offs-reading-fc

Went well in the final for you !!
Media darlings ? .Played attractive football
Remember the time wasting in the first 15 mins of the first leg at CC.