Fulham 3 (Davies 16, Dempsey 72, Healy 90)
Reading 1 (Doyle 54)
The opening goal all started from a Fulham corner, which Nicky Shorey believed should have been a goal kick. Much to Shorey’s dismay after he let a ball go out a corner was signalled. Even so, the pressure was building, and Simon Davies had a shot blocked, he shot again, with it again blocked before Marcus Hahnemann saved well from Diomansy Kamara. Fulham took the corner quickly and this time Davies made no mistake as he volley home.
Reading upped the tempo before the break but couldn’t force Antti Niemi into any saves.
When Stephen Hunt was fouled on the edge of the area James Harper stepped up, but Antti Niemi, with Michael Duberry just being unable to get onto the rebound, saved his drive.
Dave Kitson then played Stephen Hunt through, but Hunt was denied by a great save from Antti Niemi, but still a cross came in again and with two Reading attackers looking odds on to score Dejan Stefanovic rose to head behind for a corner. This time there was no mistake, Nicky Shorey delivered and Kevin Doyle headed home at the far post.
Diomansy Kamara thought that Fulham should have had a penalty when Michael Duberry’s arm appeared to deflect the ball away from him when he was waiting unmarked in the middle, but nothing was given.
Again Antti Niemi denied Reading when Nicky Shorey’s dangerously delivered free kick curled beyond everyone, but not Niemi who saved well.
Fulham went ahead again when David Healy delivered to Shefki Kuqi who won his header allowing Clint Dempsey to tap home.
The three points were secured when Fulham broke away in injury time as Reading pushed for the equaliser, Shefki Kuqi got things going in midfield, spreading the play to Simon Davies who crossed to the unmarked David Healy who made no mistake.
Still there was time for Fulham youngster Elliot Omozusi to be sent off as the 18 year old picked up a second yellow card.
Fulham: Niemi; Omozusi, Ashton; Hughes (c), Stefanovic; Davis, Murphy, Davies, Bouazza (Kuqi 60); Dempsey, Kamara (Healy 66)
Subs: Warner, Leijer, Seol
Booked: Stefanovic, Omozusi, Healy
Sent off: Omozusi
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty (c) (Long 87), Shorey, Duberry (Ingimarsson 75), Sonko; Gunnarsson, Harper, Doyle, Hunt; Kitson, Lita (Convey 75)
Subs: Federici, Rosenior
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I think that a defeat, and 3-1 at that, was a little harsh but when you come up against an inspired Antti Niemi what can you do!
Conceding alot of goals lately, is this the second season syndrome your having?
No, we are just conceding a lot of goals, that is all. We are basically on the same points, or thereabouts as we were this time last year, so it appears to be poor, but thats only becuase of how high we eventually finished.