Julian Hails scored a late winner as ten-man Fulham registered an important victory over Reading at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
Ara Bedrossian began the most flowing move of the contest driving deep into Reading territory before finding Brazil on the edge of the penalty area. The intelligent forward fed Hails and the Fulham winger unleashed a superb shot into the top corner past a stunned Shaka Hislop. Reading paid the penalty for failing to exploit their numerical advantage, having come close with ten minutes to go when Phil Parkinson rattled the post.
Fulham started slowly but enjoyed the better chances in a tame first period with Thomas forcing a smart save from Hislop after he latched onto a smart ball from Udo Onwere. But the home side’s chances of recording a positive result were hindered when full back Duncan Jupp was sent off along with Mick Gooding after the pair were involved in an ugly exchange when the Reading winger stamped on Jupp’s heel.
That should have been enough for Reading to seize the initiative in the second period, but they didn’t grasp the nettle and Fulham looked the likelier to break the deadlock. Both Bedrossian and Brazil shot high into the Hammersmith End from distance before Hails showed them how to finish with five minutes remaining.
FULHAM: Stannard; Jupp, Herrera, Angus, Eckhardt, G. Thomas, Bedrossian, Onwere, Hails, Baah (Pike 45), Brazil. Subs (not used): Harrison, Tierling.
SENT OFF: Jupp (44).
GOAL: Hails (85).
READING: Hislop; Humphrey, Hopkins, Williams (Taylor 60), Kerr; Dillon, Gooding, Parkinson, Gilkes (Hartenberger 71), Lovell; Quinn. Sub (not used): Brown.
BOOKED: Parkinson.
SENT OFF: Gooding (44).
REFEREE: Alan Gunn.
ATTENDANCE: 6,911.
