Fulham 4-2 Reading: Moussa Dembele scores twice as hosts come from behind to win in six-goal thriller at Craven Cottage

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Moussa Dembele inspired Fulham to a second-half comeback win over Reading.

Fulham looked down and out after Lucas Piazon and Orlando Sa had struck for high-flying Reading.

But with their manager Kit Symons' position under serious threat, a three-goal blitz in six minutes completed an amazing recovery for a 4-2 victory. Ross McCormack, Dembele and Alex Kacaniklic all struck during the purple patch.

Moussa Dembele (centre) celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal in their 4-2 win over Reading

The French forward scored twice as the west London outfit came from 2-0 down to secure victory

Symons was able to breathe easy once Dembele - fresh from signing a long-term deal - sealed the unlikely win.

Reading are among the Sky Bet Championship's top scorers and it took them just 13 minutes to draw first blood following a sweeping move.

Matej Vydra's final defence-splitting, first-time pass freed Piazon and the on-loan Chelsea midfielder calmly stroked the ball home.

It was the worst possible start for Symons, who knew he needed to get the home supporters back on side.

But Fulham appeared low on confidence, in contrast to Reading whose intricate passing was catching the eye.

Another fluid move saw Piazon once again find himself within sight of goal but Richard Stearman's outstretched leg deflected the ball just over the top of the crossbar.

Fulham finally threatened in the 38th minute, which was greeted with ironic cheers, when Dembele headed over.

Symons knew his side needed to up their tempo after the break but instead it was Sa who struck for the Royals in the 49th minute.

The Portuguese striker, who endured a miserable stint with Fulham three years ago, fared better here as he pounced on Tom Cairney's mistake before firing home from the angle. 

Lucas Piazon (right) fired Reading ahead on 13 minutes with a low right-footed strike

The Brazilian (centre) is congratulated by his team-mates after giving them an early lead at Craven Cottage

Reading striker Orlando Sa (centre) watches on as his right-footed strike found the bottom corner of the goal

Jordan Obita (left) congratulates his team-mate after his goal doubled Reading's lead on 49 minutes

Fulham were staring down the barrel but within a minute McCormack had thrown them a lifeline. The Cottagers captain flicked the ball up and shot on the turn to rock Reading.

And the hosts, from looking dead and buried, were at it again when Dembele turned home Lasse Vigen Christensen's cross.

Nobody could have predicted the dramatic turnaround. Two minutes later the whole game had been turned on its head when substitute Kacaniklic netted.

Dembele's cushioned lay-off exposed the visitors' defence and the Swede slotted past a shell-shocked Ali Al Habsi.

However, a minute later the hosts were back in it through Ross McCormack's expert finish

The Fulham captain (centre) celebrates his second-half strike as their comeback begins

On 54 minutes Dembele (right) made it 2-2 as by sliding home from close range

The 19-year-old wheels away in celebration during a chaotic Championship encounter on Saturday afternoon

Reading had failed to halt the onslaught but they had shown enough going forward to suggest this was not the end of the scoring.

Their third almost arrived when the in-form Nick Blackman's corner was met by Sa but Ryan Fredericks hacked the header off his own line.

It proved crucial as Fulham would go up the other end to score again via Dembele.

McCormack's clever flick freed the Frenchman who beat the helpless Al Habsi for a fourth time in the half.

The Scot was denied another goal late on when Chris Gunter cleared off the line, but the damage had already been done.

The match was turned on its head, two minutes later when Alexander Kacaniklic gave Fulham the lead

The Sweden international (right) put the hosts ahead with a near-post finish with his right foot

The 24-year-old (fourth right) is mobbed by his team-mates as they come from behind to lead in six minutes