Sanchez subs help Fulham deliver the goods

Not this time as they exposed Reading's woeful defending to secure a second win of the season. "We couldn't go on being an almost team," said Sanchez. "We're the most difficult team to beat in the lower half of the table but all the draws we've had won't do us any good if we don't get the wins to go with them."

Steve Coppell has plenty of work to do to improve his team's defending and their away form. A fifth successive defeat on their travels and 14 goals conceded in their last three now gives them the dubious distinction of sharing with Derby the worst defensive record in the League with 26 goals conceded.

But Coppell was justified in believing that midway through the second half his team might record a first away win of the season. "When we scored I thought we had the momentum and would go on and win," said Coppell.

They did not because Sanchez's substitutions worked wonders. Simon Davies had volleyed through a crowded goalmouth on 18 minutes but when Kevin Doyle headed the equaliser from Nicky Shorey's corner Fulham looked in trouble.

But on came Shefki Kuqi, on loan from Crystal Palace, and Healy to combine for Dempsey's 72nd-minute goal, which was the turning point. A third in the last minute, set up for Healy by man-of-the-match Davies's run from the half-way line, was the icing on the cake.

The only Fulham sour note came when full-back Elliott Omozusi, 20, was sent off for a second bookable offence on 90 minutes and will miss next week's visit to Liverpool.