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Surprised Coppell pays tribute to Fulham
Reading manager Steve Coppell admitted he was surprised their victory over Derby County had not been enough to keep them in the Barclays Premier League, with Fulham staying up after their win at Portsmouth.
Despite demolishing the Rams 4-0 at Pride Park the Royals will still be joining them, along with Birmingham, in the Coca-Cola Championship next season following Fulham's 1-0 victory.
The Cottagers' superior goal difference was all that separated the two sides after 38 matches, with both finishing on 36 points.
Coppell paid tribute to the recent form of Roy Hodgson's side who pulled off an unlikely escape by winning four of their last five games - crucially, one of them at the Madejski Stadium.
However, the Royals boss conceded he had not expected them to win against FA Cup finalists Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
"I thought if we had got three points here it would be enough," he said.
"At the end of it all, you have to give huge respect to Roy (Hodgson) and Fulham. We wouldn't have been looking forward to going to Portsmouth today."
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Weather for Preston
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
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