Fulham 2 Reading 4 match report: Nigel Adkins finds the winning touch

Gordon Tynan
Sunday 05 May 2013 23:51 BST
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Nigel Adkins believes Reading's experience of the Championship gives them a "good opportunity" to make a Premier League return at the first attempt.

A year ago the Royals romped to the Championship title under Brian McDermott but their top-flight stay has lasted just a season. The Berkshire club are not going quietly, though, and on Saturday secured their first win since 2 February, thrashing Fulham 4-2 at Craven Cottage.

"The important thing is that the squad here won the Championship last year," Adkins said after his first victory as Reading manager.

The defeat means there is still a very slight chance of Fulham joining Reading in the second tier. "I feel bad that we lost the game and the boys are very down, but we must keep our heads up for the next match," said striker Hugo Rodallega.

Goals: Fulham Ruiz 70, 77. Reading Robson-Kanu pen 12, 62, Le Fondre 75, Karacan 83.

Subs: Fulham Rodallega 6 (Karagounis, 28), Richardson 5 (Riise, 56), Kacaniklic (Duff, 71). Reading Le Fondre (Pogrebnyak, 71), Blackman (McAnuff, 73), Carrico (Robson-Kanu, 81).

Booked: Ful Senderos, Enoh. Reading Mariappa.

Man of match Robson-Kanu. Match rating 7/10. Possession: Fulham 40%. Reading 60%.

Attempts on target: Fulham 13. Reading 13.

Referee N Swarbrick (Lancs). Att 24,087.

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