Fulham fought back from a goal down to beat Reading 3-1 tonight and strengthen their stranglehold on top spot in the Second Division.
Kevin Keegan, who was cheered off the field by the Royals’ travelling fans despite masterminding a remarkable Cottagers’ comeback, joked afterwards that he was well into the honeymoon period of his England management career despite not taking charge of a national team fixture. His Fulham side seemed set for a tough evening after Grant Brebner’s third-minute tap-in silenced Craven Cottage – but the Whites have already sound their resilience on several occasions during what is becoming one of the Londoners’ most compelling campaigns.
Fulham had to wait until four minutes after the interval to draw level through Geoff Horsfield, but the in-form forward then put the hosts in front with a second goal in the space of two minutes to turn the match completely on its head. Kit Symons headed in his fifth goal of the season after his centre back partner Chris Coleman had flicked on a corner from Steve Hayward as the rampant league leaders took total charge.
FULHAM (5-2-3): Taylor; FInnan, Brevett, Albert, Symons, Coleman; Smith, Hayward; Horsfield, Hayles (Betsy 75), Peschisolido (Trollope 68).
BOOKED: Horsfield, Peschisoldio, Albert.
GOALS: Horsfield (49, 51), Symons (67).
READING (4-4-2): Howie; Murty, Gray, Polston, Primus; Parkinson (Bernal 35), Brebner, Glasgow, Caskey; Brayson (McIntyre 45), Thorpe. Subs (not used): Houghton.
GOAL: Brebner (3).
REFEREE: Mike Jones (Loughborough).
ATTENDANCE: 11,247.
