Fulham manager Kit Symons was a very happy man after Fulham snatched all three points against Reading at Craven Cottage this afternoon ending a three match run of league defeats.
"It looked very much like it was going towards a draw which probably would have been a fair enough result," Symons admitted in his post-match press conference. "They'll feel very aggrieved about it I'm sure.
"After they got the equaliser they were putting us under a bit of pressure from corners and crosses into our box. It's easy to say with hindsight but I always felt we had the quality to pop up with another goal.
I didn't expect it to be quite so late but obviously delighted to see it go in."
The late winner came from substitute Bryan Ruiz who was assisted by fellow sub Cauley Woodrow.
When it was put to him that he made 'genius' substitutions, Symons replied: "They are when you get Cauley Woodrow heading it back for Bryan Ruiz to head in, but they don't always pan out like that, that's for sure!
"But the subs who came on both did well. They combined for the winning goal following a great ball from Ross McCormack.
"It was a little bit of a gamble in some respects as it was a very attacking bench today with Bryan, Cauley, Moussa [Dembélé], George Williams, Pat Roberts - real attacking options on the bench, so we knew if we were behind or level, there were things we could do to change the dynamic of our team to hopefully get that goal that we needed. And, like I say, today it worked."
Symons was delighted with Ruiz's contribution.
"I wouldn't have minded if the tea lady came on and scored today, but it was brilliant for Bryan," he said. "He's a good guy and a very, very good player.
"I think it's fair to say he's not always had the easiest of times here but he showed his commitment. Also, before the goal, his running to the box was fantastic. He burst into the box for the initial cross, and then because of that he was then in there for the header back from Cauley.
"I speak to Bryan regularly, as I do with all the players, and we're very up front and straight with each other, and he was very committed.
"I had a good chat with him yesterday - he was committed and wanted to be involved. He's just come back from a little injury and he was good so I involved him and he came on and scored the winner, so I'm delighted."
Alexander Kacaniklic, scorer of Fulham's first goal, and Ryan Tunnicliffe also earned praise from their manager .
"Alex and Ryan were players who were out on loan," Symons stated. "The original idea was for season-long loans but they both had a break option in January and as soon as I took over as Manager one of the first things I said was that I want these boys back.
"They're both really good players who I know really well, and they've both got Championship experience. So for me it was an absolute no brainer to get them both back. They're both excellent players - they've only been back five minutes and they've both had an impact."