EFL midweek round-up: Fulham hit seven at Reading

By Joe Acklam

HARRY Wilson was the star in a remarkable Fulham performance as they blew Reading away 7-0 to reclaim second place in the Championship.

Marco Silva’s men ended a barren run of form, five games without a win, with a second 7-0 away win of the season, becoming the first English League side to do so since 1895-96.

The Cottagers were only 1-0 up heading into first half stoppage time, courtesy of Wilson putting into an empty net after he was passed the ball by Reading captain Josh Laurent.

Andy Carroll saw two screamers disallowed in Reading's 7-0 defeat to Fulham 😳 pic.twitter.com/wipgb9alyj

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 11, 2022

It was Wilson who was fouled in the third minute of injury time to allow Aleksandar Mitrovic to convert from the spot to give Fulham a 2-0 lead at the break.

Wilson got his second on the hour mark, before his corner was headed on by Mitrovic for Kenny Tete to make it four.

Wilson added two assists to his impressive performance as Neeskens Kebano and Tosin Adarabioyo both scored from his crosses, and Mitrovic completed the rout by tapping home the rebound after great play by Rodrigo Muniz.

League One

Lincoln only had four substitutes but that didn’t stop Chris Maguire coming back to haunt Sunderland as his hat-trick prevented the Black Cats from going top of League One.

Despite scoring a wonderful opener with the outside of his boot, it was his celebration that grabbed the headlines as Maguire celebrated in front of his former manager, Lee Johnson.

Maguire converted from the spot following Carl Winchester’s sending off for fouling Maguire in the box.

Ross Stewart pulled one back for the hosts after following up his saved penalty, but Maguire sealed the three points for Lincoln on the counter.

A 2-0 win for Wycombe at Bolton put them just one point behind second-placed Sunderland, who trail Rotherham on goal difference, but fourth place Wigan have five games in hand on the Chairboys.

Goals from Brandon Hanlan and Jack Grimmer either side of half-time were enough for maximum points at the University of Bolton Stadium.

MK Dons moved into a play-off place with a 1-0 win against arch-rivals AFC Wimbledon courtesy of Matt O’Riley scoring from the edge of the box.

League Two

It was another good night for front-runners Forest Green in League Two as they beat Colchester 2-0 at the New Lawn, with Jamille Matt and Josh March getting the goals.

The joy was not only in their own result, but in second place Tranmere slipping up against Salford as they drew 1-1.
Aramide Oteh gave Salford a first-half lead, but Paul Glatzel finishing off a penalty box scramble was enough for a point.

On-song Mansfield moved level on points with the play-offs after a thrilling 3-2 home victory over Swindon.

George Maris gave the Stags a lead after four minutes, before man of the moment Harry McKirdy scored from a tight angle to level the game up, but it did not remain that way for long as Stephen McLaughlin scored from the spot three minutes later to reclaim Mansfield’s lead.

A Jordan Bowery goal late in the first half confirmed the win, even if a late goal from Ellis Iandolo gave Swindon hope of a recovery.

FA Cup heroes Cambridge will travel to Rotherham in the Papa John’s Trophy quarter-finals after a 2-1 win at home against Portsmouth.

Harvey Knibbs bagged a brace in ten second half minutes to ensure the U’s cup joy continued, even with Michael Jacobs reducing the deficit.

Arsenal U21s complete the line-up in the quarter-finals after they beat Chelsea U21s 4-1. They will take on Wigan in the last eight.