Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 12/01/22...

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Results

Tuesday
Reading	0-7	Fulham

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Reading 0-7 Fulham

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored Fulham's second from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time

Harry Wilson scored twice and was involved in four other goals as Fulham hit seven at Reading to return to second place in the Championship.

It was the second time Marco Silva's side had scored seven this season, matching November's win at Blackburn.

Wilson scored in either half, either side of an Aleksandar Mitrovic penalty in first-half injury time.

Kenny Tete, Neeskens Kebano, Tosin Adarabioyo and Mitrovic with his second then added to the second-half rout.

It was a first win in six matches for Fulham, who were in league action for the first time since a home defeat by Sheffield United on 20 December having had their three festive season fixtures postponed because of Covid-19 cases.

This victory saw them move to within a point of leaders Bournemouth with a game in hand and with a greatly superior goal difference following their second emphatic away win of the season.

A damaging defeat for Reading saw their winless home run stretched to seven league matches in the process as they remain perilously close to the relegation zone having now won just once in seven league games.

It also came just three days after an embarrassing FA Cup third-round exit at the hands of non-league Kidderminster Harriers, with pressure mounting on manager Veljko Paunovic.

Seventh-heaven again for Fulham

Harry Wilson celebrates with his team-mates after scoring Fulham's third

His side were on the back foot as early as the seventh minute when centre-back Scott Dann had to be substituted through injury.

Captain Josh Laurent, who moved to makeshift right-back as a result, unintentionally played in Wilson for Fulham's opener soon after as he tried to make a pass across his own penalty area towards goalkeeper Luke Southwood.

Wilson nipped in to intercept, with Laurent seemingly unaware of his presence, and it was a simple finish into an almost empty net for his first of the night.

Reading rallied and tried to mount a response, and early substitute Mamadi Camara nearly drew them level with a neat backheel inside the area that Marek Rodak pushed behind for a corner.

Andy Carroll did have the ball in the net twice for the hosts, but both efforts were ruled offside, the first a spectacular overhead kick from Junior Hoilett's cross and the second a well-struck half-volley from outside the box.

But that was pretty much the end of their attacking momentum as Fulham doubled their lead seconds before the break.

Tom Holmes was adjudged to have tripped Wilson in the area and Mitrovic converted for his first goal with a finish into the bottom left corner to make it 2-0.

If Fulham shaded the first half, they completely dominated the second with five more goals and Wilson heavily involved.

The Wales international made it 3-0 on the hour as he tapped home Antonee Robinson's neat overlapping cross from the left.

Full-back Tete then flicked on Mitrovic's powerful header from Wilson's cross for the fourth and two minutes later he was the provider again when his low ball along the six-yard line was tapped in at the far post by Kebano for Fulham's fifth.

Not to be done there, they still had the time and the appetite to add two more.

Centre-back Adarabioyo was left unmarked to head in a Wilson corner and then Mitrovic arrived to take his season tally to 24 Championship goals as he slotted in on the rebound after Rodrigo Muniz's initial effort had been parried away by Southwood.

That goal meant Fulham became the first side since the 1895-96 season to win multiple away games by seven goals or more in a single season.

Royals endure 'another horrible night' - reaction
Reading manager Veljko Paunovic:

"It was another horrible night in what is proving to be a very hard month for us so far.

"The early setback with losing Scott Dann through injury certainly changed our shape and our approach on a night where we already had a very disrupted line-up.

"But even after that, we found it very hard to adjust, there was nervousness and frustration and we conceded an avoidable first goal and the penalty before half-time was also possibly debatable.

"After all that, to be 2-0 down at the break in all those circumstances, we were still having to contend with a very good side like Fulham.

"The third goal killed us and then unfortunately the inexperience of certain players in certain positions cost us and made it even tougher.

"It's not a question for me to answer if I think I'll be given enough time. It's about the group and this team and at this time, we have been put in a very difficult position and been handed a very difficult task through no fault of our own.

"We've been thrown under the bus, but we have to keep going and I feel we can.

"I've seen people giving their all to the team and if you look back just a few months, this group produced one of its best performances to beat this Fulham team on their own ground.

"I feel there are more great moments to come from this team and we have to find inspiration from those moments."

Fulham manager Marco Silva:

"It was a good result for us and it was an impressive performance.

"We knew before the game and we spoke about it in meetings that it would be important for us to get three points and the fans who were here this evening and came in great number, got to see and feel a great performance.

"There were some great goals and some great individual performances and it was the perfect night for us.

"We want to create lots of chances and score lots of goals and we did it in some style tonight. We were much better in the second half than we were in the first as I didn't feel like we had full control of the game despite going in 2-0 ahead.

"There were moments where we weren't at our best in that first half, but we were much more on it and stronger in some important details in the second half.

"This will only be a special season if we finish it with some success at the end so while it's great to have scored seven goals twice, we know we need to see it through for the rest of the season."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59751029

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Marco's Post-Reading press conference

Marco Silva spoke to the press following his sides second 7-0 away win of the season on Tuesday night against Reading.

"It is not a normal score," started Marco. "We repeat it [Blackburn Rovers 0-7 Fulham], it is not a normal score, but it was a consequence of the game.

"The last game that we did it, we did it with superiority on the pitch, 10 against 11 for 60 minutes and tonight was a little bit different because it was 11 against 11.

The Whites were dominant throughout the game, but Marco felt that the goal before half-time helped his side heading into the final 45.

"Of course, after the second goal, there was half-time and after with our third goal, things were really difficult for them and we kept the same intensity and same pace, including long periods of the match, which is a good sign for me as a manager after a long break for some of these players without a game in their legs and it was good, it was a good score, a good result for us.

"The most important thing for us is the three points and of course, after the goals came at the end, it was a consequence from our game."

It was goals galore in Berkshire, but Marco was keen to play down the scoreline and was impressed with his team's performance, coming off the back of 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United in their last league game before Christmas.

"I think it an important score, but it is just three points. I told my players that then. We are happy, we need this type of performance, we need goals, we need to boost the confidence for our front line, the defenders.

"All these situations are important for us but at the end, it is just three points."

"After the Sheffield United match, we want to play as quick as possible because it was our first defeat in 12 games. We were 11 games unbeaten and that defeat for us was tough and unfortunately for us, we had three games cancelled and we want to play as soon as possible.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/january/11/Marcos-Post-Reading-press conference/

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Reading 0-7 Fulham: Harry Wilson and Aleksandar Mitrovic both score twice as visitors run riot to regain second place and narrow the gap on Championship leaders Bournemouth to one point

    Marco Silva's side scored seven for the second time this season
    Harry Wilson scored twice and was involved in four other goals at Reading
    Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic also scored a brace to to make it 24 for the season

Fulham returned to second in the Championship and ended a five-match winless run in formidable style, helped on their way by Reading's increasing tendency towards self-destruction.

Two goals from the excellent Harry Wilson, a brace from Aleksandar Mitrovic to make it 24 for the season and further strikes from Kenny Tete, Neeskens Kebano and Tosin Adarabioyo proved more than enough to restore the promotion hopefuls handsomely to winning ways.

Fulham replicated the 7-0 scoreline they achieved at Blackburn Rovers back in November. Rovers recovered and are now alongside Fulham and Bournemouth as genuine candidates to make the Premier League. You suspect Reading won't enjoy a similar revival.


Fulham winger Harry Wilson was gifted the first goal against Reading on Wednesday night

Fresh from the humiliation of being knocked out of the FA Cup by non-league Kidderminster, the Royals slid a little closer to the relegation places thanks to an undesirable combination of bad fortune, bad decision-making and shocking defending.

Having given Fulham a helping hand to establish their lead during the first-half, Reading were repeatedly torn apart after the break as the visitors really hit their stride.

You wonder how Reading manager Veljko Paunovic can stumble on much longer. It wasn't his fault a six-point deduction for breaching financial regulations dumped his team to the fringes of the bottom three but things have certainly unravelled quickly from there.

But for Fulham, it was ole football from about the 70th minute with the travelling fans demanding further goals and the players obliging.

Just eight minutes in, Reading were dealt a major blow when experienced defender Scott Dann hobbled off with what looked like a muscle injury.

That forced Paunovic into a reshuffle with midfielder Josh Laurent pressed into service as a makeshift defender and Mamadi Camara replacing him further up.

A few minutes later, Laurent drifted out to a right-back position to help Camara out of a spot of pressure near the touchline.


Aleksandar Mitrovic scored from the spot just before half-time to take his tally to 23

Demonstrating conclusively that he isn't a defender, Laurent decided not to glance up before playing a square pass intended for his goalkeeper Luke Southwood.

Had he bothered looking up, he'd have spotted Wilson lurking with intent on the edge of the Fulham box. The assist gift-wrapped for him, Wilson simply needed to tap home for his eighth of the season.

Fulham were far from top gear but they briefly threatened to cut loose. Kebano managed to squeeze a pass through to Wilson but the Welshman slid his shot off target this time.

There was, however, more fight about Reading than they showed at Aggborough over the weekend and it took a brilliant save from Fulham's Marek Rodak to deny them a leveller on 26 minutes.

Antonee Robinson inexplicably failed to clear a cross from the left, presenting the ball to Camara who back-heeled from six yards out. Rodak needed outstanding reactions to push it away.

Andy Carroll arrived in November and has wasted little time in endearing himself to the locals. His sheer physical presence in the air and knock-downs proved to be Reading's primary threat.


Wilson scored his second goal for Fulham in the 60th minute from just a few yards out

He scored two spectacular goals in the space of four minutes but both were from an offside position which was a shame as both proved the 33-year-old still very much as it.

The first was an overhead kick from inside the box, the second a stunning volley from outside it. Carroll looked miffed his personal goal of the month competition had counted for nothing.

But you always sensed Fulham had another goal in them. Mitrovic was played through by Tom Cairney and tried to dink Southwood only for the keeper to extend an arm and deny him.

In stoppage time, however, just as Reading looked set to reach the break in the contest, Tom Holmes lunged in on Wilson when he was heading nowhere but out of play.

It was a stupid challenge and Mitrovic punished Reading by converting the spot-kick, taking his tally for the season to 23.

Fulham went in for the kill early in the second-half with Wilson half-volleying into the side-netting from Mitrovic's knock-down.


Neeskens Kebano slid in at the far post to turn home yet another inviting cross from Wilson

The third goal duly arrived on the hour, the product of a divine passing move. Robinson carried the ball left, found Mitrovic and continued his run into the box.

The Serbian returned the ball to Robinson in plenty of space and he laid the ball on a plate for Wilson to touch home left-footed from just a few yards out.

An already terrible situation for Reading proceeded to become gradually worse with three more goals coming in the space of seven minutes.

First Kenny Tete nodded home his first goal for the club from close range after Mitrovic had thundered a corner towards the target.

The fifth came courtesy of Kebano, sliding in at the far post to turn home yet another inviting cross from Wilson.

And it was six of the best when defender Adarabioyo outjumped everyone in blue and white to thunder in Wilson's corner kick delivery.

Mitrovic grabbed his second and Fulham's seventh, scoring on the rebound after Rodrigo Muniz saw his shot pushed out by Southwood. The full-time whistle was an truly an act of mercy.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10392197/Reading-0-7-Fulham-Harry-Wilson-Aleksandar-Mitrovic-score-twice-rout.html

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Fulham score seven – again – in another stunning away win

Fulham scored seven for the second time this season in another incredible away win.

Harry Wilson and Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice in a totally one-sided game, while Kenny Tete, Neeksens Kebano and Tosin Adarabioyo also netted.

The victory took Fulham, who won 7-0 at Blackburn in November, back up to second in the Championship table, a point behind leaders Bournemouth with a game in hand.

Wilson was gifted the opener by Josh Laurent, calmly slotting home after collecting the Reading man's woeful back-pass.

Mitrovic doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Wilson was brought down by Tom Holmes.

Four goals in the space of 15 second-half minutes left Fulham six up and the home fans stunned.

Wilson side-footed in Antonee Robinson's cross, Tete touched in Mitrovic's goal-bound header from Wilson's corner, and the outstanding Wilson then crossed for Kebano to tuck away the fifth.

Tosin made it six with a free header from Bobby Decordova-Reid's delivery and, in the final minute, Mitrovic scored from the rebound after Rodrigo Muniz's shot had been saved.

Fulham: Rodák, Tete, Tosin, Ream, Robinson, Reed (Chalobah 79), Cairney, Wilson (Muniz 76), Carvalho (De Cordova-Reid 72), Kebano, Mitrovic.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-score-seven-again-in-another-stunning-away-win

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Embarrassing night for Reading as Fulham run riot scoring seven

It was a dark day for Reading Football Club as Veljko Paunovic's side shipped seven in a 0-7 mauling at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Braces for Harry Wilson and Aleksander Mitrovic were supplemented by strikes from Kenny Tete, Neeskens Kebano and Tosin Adarabioyo.

Pauno wrung the changes from Saturday's cup exit it non-league Kidderminster Harriers, with Luke Southwood, Andy Carroll, John Swift, Dejan Tetek, Junior Hoilett and Scott Dann came back in to start.

The first half started poorly for Reading with experienced defender Dann limping off within the opening 10 minutes, however it was to get worse shortly after. A seemingly harmless spell of possession on the right-hand side saw Dann replacement Mamadi Camara play the ball back toward his own goal, finding Laurent.

The former Shrewsbury Town man played the ball across the box in the hope of finding goalkeeper Southwood, however former Liverpool winger Wilson nicked in to tap the ball into an open net. The Royals were to have a flurry of chances midway through the half, with Andy Carroll showcasing his Premier League quality.

A classy touch from a long ball eventually found its way on the left to winger Hoillett, who's low cross found Camara. His back-heel was on target but tipped away by Marek Rodak for a corner. With the wind in their sails following the chance, Carroll twice put the ball in the back of the net in quality fashion, only for the flag to be raised on both occasions.

The visitors continued to dominate possession and create openings, with Southwood kept busy. Unfortunately, it was not to last as in first half stoppage time Tom Holmes brought down scorer Wilson, and Mitrovic slotted home the resulting penalty.

The second half started as the first ended, with Fulham domination. Wilson hit the side netting five minutes into the second half but then the mauling started. Four goals in just over 15 minutes ended any possibility of a result for Veljko Paunovic as his side chased shows for the remaining 40 minutes. Wilson notched his second on the hour mark as he found himself unmarked from a Mitrovic cross. Full-back Tete notched shortly after as Mitrovic powered a header toward the back post following a deep corner. Kebano gets his deserved goal after two half chances as Wilson beats the offside trap to deliver a low cross for the winger to tap in on the goal line. If it was not embarrassing enough, the sixth goal comes from defender Adarabioyo as yet another header flies past Southwood from a corner. After 15 minutes of comfortable possession the visitors decided they wanted to score another, and as Rodrigo Muniz saw his low strike saved, top scorer Mitrovic was there to slot home for a seventh.

That was the end scoring as the Cottagers closed the gap on leaders Bournemouth and Reading continue to teeter dangerously close to the drop zone.



https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/19840437.embarrasing-day-reading-fulham-run-riot-scoring-seven/

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Fulham put seven past ragged Reading to reclaim automatic promotion spot
Harry Wilson and Aleksandar Mitrovic both scored twice in the rout.

FULHAM MOVED BACK into second place in the Championship and an automatic promotion slot with a thumping 7-0 victory at relegation-threatened Reading.

The west London side took a 13th-minute lead through Harry Wilson and stretched it on the brink of half-time with an Aleksandar Mitrovic penalty.

Fulham proved rampant in the second period, as Reading collapsed, with further goals from Wilson, Kenny Tete, Neeskens Kebano, Tosin Adarabioyo and Mitrovic again.

The visitors had not won in five league matches, though four had been draws, and had slipped from top spot in the Championship to third behind Bournemouth and Blackburn.

But they returned to winning ways in the FA Cup third round on Saturday with a 1-0 victory at Bristol City after extra time.

The home side opened lethargically and were soon 1-0 in arrears when Josh Laurent delivered a loose attempted backpass to goalkeeper Luke Southwood.

It went straight to Wilson, who had the easiest of tasks to slide the ball into the empty net for his eighth goal of the season.

Reading had shown little going forward but could have equalised when early substitute Mamadi Camara tried an audacious backheeled prod from a Junior Hoilett cross.

But Fulham survived thanks to a superb close-range save from keeper Marek Rodak.

Then followed a spectacular brace of disallowed efforts from Reading striker Andy Carroll – one from an overhead kick, the other a left-footed 20-yard volley.

Both were thundered home past Rodak but, on each occasion, the former England forward was adjudged offside.

Fulham rode their luck and were fortunate to stretch their lead in the third minute of first-half stoppage.

Tom Holmes needlessly brought down Wilson in the area and Mitrovic coolly dispatched the penalty for his 23rd goal of the campaign.

Fulham upped the tempo at the start of the second period, with Wilson again much to the fore on the right flank.

The Wales international found space at the far post but, with Southwood left exposed, he fired weakly into the side-netting.

It was, though, only a temporary reprieve for Reading with Wilson proving far more accurate on the hour mark.

Left-back Antonee Robinson crossed low into the area and Wilson was on hand to guide home unchallenged.

It was 4-0 in the 68th minute when Mitrovic nodded goalwards and Tete was on hand to glance it past Southwood.

That became 5-0 just two minutes later, with Kebano drifting in at the back post to stab in a Wilson cross.

Fulham added another in the 75th minute when Adarabioyo towered above the home defence to nod in a Wilson corner.

And they completed the rout one minute from the end of normal time, Mitrovic tapping in after the Reading defence had again been breached with ease.



https://www.the42.ie/reading-v-fulham-5651803-Jan2022/

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Flawless Fulham smash seven at Reading

This was an emphatic response to any concerns that Fulham's flat pre-Christmas form or the spate of coronavirus pandemic postponements might ruin their promotion push. Marco Silva's scored seven for the second time this season – romping away from a wretched Reading side and sending the beleaguered Veljko Paunovic closer to the exit door. Harry Wilson picked up where he left off at Ashton Gate, profiting from a shocking backpass to prod the Whites ahead, before winning a penalty on the stroke of half time and tapping home from close range to make sure of all three points.

But the visitors weren't satisfied with merely wrapping up a routine win. Reading, who looked devoid of confident following their FA Cup exit at the hands of Kidderminster on Saturday, probably had an idea it wasn't going to be their night when veteran striker Andy Carroll saw two sensational strikes disallowed for offside in the space of ninety seconds but they folded alarmingly in the second half when Paunovic eschewed any semblance of damage limitation. Some of the home marking from set plays was shambolic: they left Mitrovic entirely unmarked at a corner, allowing Kenny Tete to glance in his first Fulham goal, and Tosin Adarabioyo got in the act as well when he thumped in a downward header from another flag kick.

Between those headers came further evidence of Aleksandar Mitrovic's evolution into a more complete striker under Silva. Having thumped home the penalty in first half stoppage time, the Serbian laid on a lovely goal for Kebano by sending Wilson scurrying clear down the right wing and Kebano was on hand to tuck home from inside the six-yard box. Mitrovic rounded off a miserable night for his compatriot Paunovic when he followed up after Luke Southwood had saved Harrison Reed's piledriver splendidly. It was hard not to feel for the young Royals goalkeeper, outstanding at Craven Cottage in September. As staggering as it sounds, it would have been much worse without him.

Reading are well and truly ensconced in a relegation battle, which they will surely fight within Pauvonic at the helm. His plans to spring a surprise were in tatters as early as the seventh minute when Scott Dann succumbed to a hamstring strain after trying to keep up with Kebano. The introduction of Mamadi Camara meant Josh Laurent had to slot back in at centre back. Six minutes later, he played a pass across his own box with Wilson lurking and the Welshman gleefully accepted the gift.

Wilson should have made it two ten minutes later. A raking pass from Kebano saw him accelerate into the area but drag his wide of goal as Ethan Bristow gamely dived in. Fabio Carvalho then crept away from two defenders but his low cross didn't reach an unmarked Wilson, before Reading were nearly handed a route back into the contest by some brainless defending from Antonee Robinson. The American full back fluffed a simple clearance from Junior Hoilett's cross and Camara improvised a backheeled finish only for Marek Rodak to pull off an outstanding stop.

After Carroll, who had earlier thrown himself theatrically to ground in an attempt to win a penalty off Adarabioyo, had seen his two astonishingly finishes chalked off in the blink of an eye, Reading suffered a hammer blow in first half stoppage time. Wilson worked a one-two with Cairney and burst towards goal. Tom Holmes stretched out a panicked leg and referee Tony Harrington pointed to the stop. Mitrovic doubled Fulham's lead to settle any nerves amongst the away contingent.

The second half began in a similar vein. Mitrovic had a shot blocked and the ball fell kindly for Wilson, but the Welshman scuffed his effort slightly into the side netting. He was celebrating on the hour, though, after finishing a flowing move that saw Robinson rampage down the left and supply the perfect pass after being found by a brilliant ball from Mitrovic. It felt like Silva's side could score at will now, with substitute Andy Rinomhota arriving in the nick of time to deny Kebano.

The damn broke decisively in the final quarter as Tete, Kebano, Adarabioyo and Mitrovic mercilessly profiting from Reading's painful predicament. This was the first time an English side had recorded two away wins by a seven goal margin since Liverpool in 1896. The Whites have now inflicted record home defeats on Blackburn and the unfortunate Reading in the space of three months. This demolition job lifts Silva's side back to second in the table and sends another message to the first of the Championship – Fulham are far from finished.

READING (4-2-3-1): Southwood; Tetek (Rinomhota 52), Bristow, Holmes, Dann (Camara 7); Laurent, Drinkwater (Puscas 63); Hoilett, Dele-Bashiru, Swift; Carroll. Subs: Rafael, Stickland, Clarke.

BOOKED: Drinkwater.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Tete, A. Robinson, Adarabioyo, Ream; Reed (Chalobah 78), Cairney; Wilson (Muniz 76), Kebano, Carvalho (Decordova-Reid 72); Mitrovic. Subs: Gazzaniga, Odoi, Hector, Francois.

GOALS: Wilson (13, 60), Mitrovic (pen 45+3, 89), Tete (68), Kebano (71), Adarabioyo (75).

REFEREE: Tony Harrington (County Durham).

ATTENDANCE:



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/01/flawless-fulham-smash-seven-at-reading/

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Fulham in seventh heaven with huge Championship victory at Reading

Reading 0 Fulham 7


Fulham's Kenny Tete (left) celebrates scoring their side's fourth goal of the game with team-mates during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading

Fulham moved back into second place in the Championship and an automatic promotion slot with a thumping 7-0 victory at relegation-threatened Reading.

The west London side took a 13th-minute lead through Harry Wilson and stretched it on the brink of half-time with an Aleksandar Mitrovic penalty.

Fulham proved rampant in the second period, as Reading collapsed, with further goals from Wilson, Kenny Tete, Neeskens Kebano, Tosin Adarabioyo and Mitrovic again.

The visitors had not won in five league matches, though four had been draws, and had slipped from top spot in the Championship to third behind Bournemouth and Blackburn.

But they returned to winning ways in the FA Cup third round on Saturday with a 1-0 victory at Bristol City after extra-time.

The home side opened lethargically and were soon 1-0 in arrears when Josh Laurent delivered a loose attempted backpass to goalkeeper Luke Southwood.

It went straight to Wilson, who had the easiest of tasks to slide the ball into the empty net for his eighth goal of the season.

Reading had shown little going forward but could have equalised when early substitute Mamadi Camara tried an audacious backheeled prod from a Junior Hoilett cross.

But Fulham survived thanks to a superb close-range save from keeper Marek Rodak.

Then followed a spectacular brace of disallowed efforts from Reading striker Andy Carroll - one from an overhead kick, the other a left-footed 20-yard volley.

Both were thundered home past Rodak but, on each occasion, the former England forward was adjudged offside.

Fulham rode their luck and were fortunate to stretch their lead in the third minute of first-half stoppage.

Tom Holmes needlessly brought down Wilson in the area and Mitrovic coolly dispatched the penalty for his 23rd goal of the campaign.

Fulham upped the tempo at the start of the second period, with Wilson again much to the fore on the right flank.

The Wales international found space at the far post but, with Southwood left exposed, he fired weakly into the side-netting.

It was, though, only a temporary reprieve for Reading with Wilson proving far more accurate on the hour mark.

Left-back Antonee Robinson crossed low into the area and Wilson was on hand to guide home unchallenged.

It was 4-0 in the 68th minute when Mitrovic nodded goalwards and Tete was on hand to glance it past Southwood.

That became 5-0 just two minutes later, with Kebano drifting in at the back post to stab in a Wilson cross.

Fulham added another in the 75th minute when Adarabioyo towered above the home defence to nod in a Wilson corner.

And they completed the rout one minute from the end of normal time, Mitrovic tapping in after the Reading defence had again been breached with ease.



https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fulham-in-seventh-heaven-with-huge-championship-victory-at-reading-41230983.html

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Bolton Wanderers player ratings vs Wycombe: Marlon Fossey bright in defeat

How we rated the Wanderers players against Wycombe Wanderers this evening

Bolton Wanderers fell to a 0-2 defeat at home to Wycombe Wanderers in League One.

The first half proved to be a fiery and feisty encounter as tackles flew in, the physio teams entered the pitch twice and the match officials were berated by the home faithful.

Dapo Afolayan went close early on with a low drive at goal, before Garath McCleary raced clean through on goal at the other end - only to be denied expertly by Joel Dixon.

Amadou Bakayoko and Dion Charles then combined brilliantly but, as the latter looked set to score, his powerful side-footed effort was palmed away by the strong right hand of David Stockdale.

Bolton found themselves in dangerous attacking positions throughout but were punished for not capitalising, when Brandon Hanlan fired a low shot into the bottom right corner.

Ian Evatt's men went in behind at the break, but Afolayan and the energetic Marlon Fossey both managed to get back on their feet after treatment from the physio.

However, anything the Bolton boss said at half-time soon went out the window, as Jack Grimmer curled home a beauty of a second on his left foot, just seven minutes after the restart.

Wanderers huffed and puffed for the rest of the half, getting in down the sides and trying to force their way back into the contest, but it wasn't to be.

Wycombe stayed organised in their shape, frustrating the hosts to see the three points - and clean sheet - over the line.

Here are our post-match player ratings.

Starting XI
Joel Dixon - 5

Saved brilliantly to deny McCleary early on. Perhaps slightly weak for the Hanlan goal - got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out.

Marlon Fossey - 7

Good energy and speed down the right. Aggressive and showed intent to get forward and create. Obita caused him problems defensively.

Ricardo Almeida Santos - 4

Headed a few crosses clear early on but made a few errors. Hanlan left him for dead in the first half and he looked shaky in spells.

Will Aimson - 5

Caught in no man's land for the early McCleary chance. Never really got to grips with the front two of Wycombe - not for a lack of trying.

Declan John - 6

Used the ball well down the left and combined nicely with Afolayan in the first half. His crosses tended to be of quality but nobody in white could capitalise.

MJ Williams - 5

Put a shift in but never managed to really assert his dominance on proceedings and there were big spaces for Wycombe to exploit at times. Got stuck in and put himself about.

Kieran Lee - 5

Started the game well, getting his foot on the ball and showing a calmness in possession. Once Wycombe upped the ante in there though he faded a little bit and struggled with the pace of the game.

George Thomason - 6

Curled a dipping shot just over the crossbar in the first half and played some nice one touch passes over the course of the match. Kept going until the end and rattled the woodwork in stoppage time. Wycombe shaded the midfield battle though.

Amadou Bakayoko - 5

Looked after ball well in the initial stages, linking up well with Charles and Afolayan. Drifted in and out and was eventually replaced after a poor couple of moments in attack.

Dion Charles - 6

Busy in the first half, buzzing around and making a nuisance of himself. Pressed well from the front and had a great chance to open the scoring, but was denied by Stockdale. Tired in the second half and made way for Delfouneso.

Dapo Afolayan - 6

A livewire early on, with his pace and direct running causing Wycombe problems. Saw a lot shot saved by Stockdale and curled another just wide. Took a nasty knock before half-time, received lengthy treatment and then struggled from then on.
Substitutes

Gethin Jones - 6

His second match of the day after playing for the reserves. For that, you have to take your hat off to him. He gave it his all down the right but wasn't able to help his team get back into the game.

Nathan Delfouneso - 5

Never really impacted the game after coming on for the final 20 minutes or so.

Ronan Darcy - 5

Brought on late in the day when the game was gone. Got a fine reception. Showed some nice touches.



https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bolton-player-ratings-wycombe-wanderers-22719561

[WhiteJC]

Silva savours superb Fulham display

Marco Silva praised his players for providing the perfect response to questions about Fulham's promotion credentials by thrashing Reading 7-0 tonight.

The Fulham head coach was delighted with his team's ruthlessness, contrasting this seven-goal showing with the one achieved last year at Blackburn when the home side had been reduced to ten men before half time. Silva told his post-match press conference:

"It is not a normal score. We repeat it. It is not a normal score, but it was a consequence of the game. The last game that we did it, we did it with superiority on the pitch, ten against eleven for sixty minutes and tonight was a little bit different because it was eleven against eleven.

Of course, after the second goal, there was half-time and after with our third goal, things were really difficult for them and we kept the same intensity and same pace, including long periods of the match, which is a good sign for me as a manager after a long break for some of these players without a game in their legs and it was good, it was a good score, a good result for us. The most important thing for us is the three points and of course, after the goals came at the end, it was a consequence from our game."

Silva played down the goal glut – insisting that he had told the players that this was just another three points and he was most pleased by the quality of Fulham's display having waited nearly three weeks to respond to their defeat at the hands of Sheffield United.

"I think it an important score, but it is just three points. I told my players that then. We are happy, we need this type of performance, we need goals, we need to boost the confidence for our front line, the defenders. All these situations are important for us but at the end, it is just three points. After the Sheffield United match, we want to play as quick as possible because it was our first defeat in 12 games. We were 11 games unbeaten and that defeat for us was tough and unfortunately for us, we had three games cancelled and we want to play as soon as possible."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/01/silva-savours-superb-fulham-display/

[WhiteJC]

Wilson all smiles after stunning victory

Harry Wilson felt Fulham delivered a warning to the rest of the Championship after the Whites climbed back into the automatic promotion places by thrashing Reading 7-0.

The Welsh winger admitted his team-mates were desperate to get back into league action after losing to Sheffield United before Christmas and were frustrated by three postponements that robbed them off the opportunity to put things right. Wilson told FFCTV:

"We'd waited so long for that game to come around. We knew our form before that wasn't great, it took a bit of dip, so we were all desperate to get out there tonight and put on a performance to show the rest of the league what we're capable of. 7-0 is an amazing scoreline, but I feel our performance deserved that.

Wilson was modest in his assessment of his own performance, which included two goals, two assists and winning the penalty that gave Fulham breathing space on the stroke of half time.

"I felt my game was good tonight. I didn't think I started great to be honest, but we pressed well for the first goal. It was a gift for me and that gave me the confidence to kick on in the game. To have a hand in all six goals whilst you are on the pitch, you can't ask for much. To round it off with Mitro's tap in at the end was great to get another 7-0 win.

I think tonight shows why our form before Christmas – where we went five without a win – was so frustrating. We knew we weren't getting to the levels we know we can play at. Tonight we were very good, we were back to those levels. It's up to us to put in another performance on Saturday, get another three points and make sure we keep adding up those points."

Wilson revealed that Marco Silva is key to keeping Fulham level-headed and he reiterated that the real target is reclaiming top spot in the table.

"The gaffer keeps our feet firmly on the ground. He's always pushing us for more – even though we won 7-0. There's still a long way to go in the season and he makes sure we are ready for the next game. After our last big win at Blackburn, we went on a big run. After three weeks off, we're raring to go. We want to show the league that we're Fulham and we want to be at the top."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/01/wilson-all-smiles-after-stunning-victory/