Premier League: Relegated Reading give Nigel Adkins first win
A double by Hal Robson-Kanu provided the basis for what was Reading's first win in 11 games -- their last victory being on February 2 -- and first under manager Nigel Adkins.
Reading showed the spirit that they will need next season in trying to regain their Premier League status with a fine 4-2 away win over Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
A double by Hal Robson-Kanu provided the basis for what was Reading's first win in 11 games -- their last victory being on February 2 -- and first under manager Nigel Adkins.
Defeat for Fulham puts at risk manager Martin Jol's impressive record of always finishing in the top half of the table as they are presently 13th on 40 points.
Reading took an early lead when Norwegian veteran John Arne Riise brought down Robson-Kanu.
The winger picked himself up and calmly converted the penalty past Australian veteran Mark Schwarzer, who was making his 550th appearance in English football.
The hosts went close to levelling but Rodallega -- who had come on for injured Greek veteran Giorgos Karagounis -- had his point blank effort brilliantly saved by Alex McCarthy in the 34th minute.
Riise, though, prevented his side from going 2-0 down when he headed off the line from Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak while Schwarzer did well to turn away for a corner an effort by Jem Karacan.
However, the visitors did deservedly double their lead just after the hour mark through Robson-Kanu as he collected a deflected Garath McCLeary shot and curled it past Schwarzer.
Brian Ruiz, though, pulled one back shortly afterwards after a neat one-two with Rodallega but Adam Le Fondre restored the two goal cushion with 15 minutes remaining after being found by a superb pass by playmaker Jem Karacan.
Fulham reduced the deficit again two minutes later as Costa Rican international Ruiz rose to head home Alex Kakaniklic's cross to set up a nervy finale.
However, Reading producing the type of performance that if they had done earlier would have probably preserved their Premier League status added a fourth through Karacan seven minutes from time.