OUTCASTS ARE ALL RIGHT FOR ROYALS

FORMER England duo Andy Carroll and Danny Drinkwater showed they can still perform as they helped READING win a ding-dong contest at SWANSEA. Striker Carroll, 32, was picked up on a short-term deal earlier this month after leaving Newcastle and midfielder Drinkwater, 31, is on loan from Chelsea as the Royals try to stave off relegation after their points deduction. Jamie Paterson fired Swansea ahead after three minutes, only for Tom Dele-Bashiru to equalise a minute later. Carroll then scored only his third goal in the last four seasons to put Reading ahead, celebrating with an impromptu rowing routine using the corner flag as an oar. Ryan Manning levelled for Swansea but Drinkwater, with his first goal since December 2017, scored the winner. ‘We gave a statement we are never going to give up,’ said Reading boss Veljko Paunovic, whose team remain just one place above the drop zone. At the top, FULHAM and BOURNEMOUTH drew, as also happened in midweek. Fulham were held 1-1 at PRESTON with Tim Ream’s first goal in four years wiped out by Ched Evans 18 minutes from time. Bournemouth couldn’t capitalise, however, after they blew a two-goal lead at home to COVENTRY. Todd Kane scored a 95th-minute equaliser.

‘It’s a hard one, a painful one. I’ve been involved in a few in my time in terms of disappointments and football has a habit sometimes of kicking you where you don’t want to be kicked,’ said Scott Parker, the Bournemouth boss. BLACKBURN won 1-0 at STOKE in a meeting of promotion hopefuls with on-loan Brighton midfielder Reda Khadra scoring the only goal. Tony Mowbray’s side have now won three and drawn the other in the four games since they were thrashed 7-0 by Fulham and they are fourth in the table. HUDDERSFIELD lost ground on the top six as Duncan Watmore’s double gave MIDDLESBROUGH a 2-1 win. HULL have a five-point cushion above the bottom three after they beat MILLWALL 2-1 to record a fourth straight win.