Roy Hodgson believes Fulham's fortunes could change after the 2-0 win against Reading.
Fulham boss knows last four games are crucial
Roy Hodgson believes Fulham's fortunes could change after the 2-0 win against Reading helped their push for Premier League survival.
Goals from Brian McBride and Erik Nevland rewarded a Fulham side hungry for goals, with efforts cannoning off the crossbar three times. The away win is their first of this season and first since September 2006.
"We started the game brightly, I thought the tempo was good, the passing was crisp and people got into the right sort of areas. We caused them problems with the wide midfield players coming off the line," Hodgson told
Sky Sports.
Fulham took the lead in the 24th minute when tall American McBride pounced on a teasing cross from the tireless Simon Davies.
"It was great to score a goal from a cross and from that moment on I thought we defended well, we were compact, both in the midfield and at the back, the two front players worked hard and as a result we kept a good Reading team at bay," the former Inter Milan boss said.
Audacious
Fulham's unlucky nature in front of goal seemed to continue in the second half when Jimmy Bullard's free-kick and McBride's audacious volley rocketed off Hahnemann's crossbar.
"Since I came to the club, I don't think we have been terribly lucky and there has been quite a few matches where I could've lamented our lack of good fortune, and you feel it's going to continue. To some extent it did because of those three shots where we hit the underside of the crossbar," Hodgson said.
Norwegian striker Erik Nevland came off the bench to make an instant impact and calm Fulham's nerves in injury time when he fired home a clinical effort to record his first-ever goal for the club.
Risk
Hodgson added: "There is a danger it's come too late in the season because there's teams around us getting points and I can't deny that there is that risk, but while there's life, there's hope.
"I think the performance today, and the victory today, would've given the players a much needed boost in their confidence.
"Lets hope we can continue that, albeit I'm not looking forward to the next game against Liverpool who are a very good side and I'm sure will test us to the limit."
