Steve Clarke's Reading threw away a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 at Fulham yesterday, in a bizarre turn of events that saw four goals in the space of seven second half minutes. 

Reading have signed Fernandez on loan
Reading boss Steve Clarke was fuming with his side after they threw away a two-goal lead to lose at Fulham

Lucas Piazon opened the scoring with a cool finish after he linked up well with Orlando Sa and Matej Vydra, before Sa doubled the lead when he took on several Fulham defenders and slotted home.

The home side responded with three goals in six minutes with Ross McCormack teeing himself up for a volley, before Moussa Dembele tapped home from close range.

Dembele then turned provider, playing in Alex Kacaniklic who duly finished. The impressive Dembele sealed it with a fourth, sending the 4,000 travelling fans home disappointed.

Here are three things to take from this entertaining clash:

1) Reading's defence can be broken

When exposed by the pace of Dembele, the Royals backline struggled, with both Paul McShane and Michael Hector having days to forget.

Substitute Kaciniklic also caused problems with his speed, and Chris Gunter and Jordan Obita had trouble coping with the wide play. Hector looked uncharacteristically shaky on the slippery surface, and it was a reminder that this Reading defence can be broken down.

2) Fulham can play exciting football

Dembele looks a talent and McCormack partnered him well. It is a partnership which should cause headaches among most Championship defences. And it certainly proved that way yesterday.

Fulham were a different side in the second half, and the Whites looked dangerous every time they went forward, easily carving open a Reading defence that has been reasonably solid all season.

Pace is a virtue, and one that manager Kit Symons must exploit if his side are to continue climbing the Championship table.

3) Reading need to shoot more

The strike partnership of Sa and Vydra worked well in the first half, but the away side could have been home and dry if they had shot when they had the chance.

In the first 30 minutes, Reading had numerous chances to get a shot off from close range, but tried to play an intricate final ball instead.

It worked for the opener, which was a wonderfully worked goal, but sometimes they needed to actually fire at goal, and ask questions of the Fulham goalkeeper Joe Lewis. The decision to play the in-form Nick Blackman wide was a strange one, and one that ultimately did not pay off for the Royals.

Fulham and Reading fans... do you agree? Were Reading's defensive weaknesses exposed? How good were Fulham in the second half? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!