A record crowd at the Madejski Stadium witnessed Reading’s first victory since returning to the Premier League. It was a result which appeared unlikely before the kick-off and virtually impossible by half time as the Royals trailed by one goal. Only superb last ditch defending and several saves from an in form Adam Federici kept Reading in the game. There were a few raised eyebrows when Le Fondre was included in the starting eleven, but once again Brian McDermott’s selection was justified as ‘Alfie’ scored both goals to round off a typically subtle and predatory performance. He looked distinctly, and understandably, unhappy when he was substituted not long after scoring the winner from the penalty spot; no doubt fancying his chances of a hat-trick. On reflection he will probably look back on the afternoon with some satisfaction of a job well done.

After a quiet start Everton began to dominate the game. They passed the ball well. Reading constantly surrendered possession by dwelling on the ball. McAnuff, Tabb, Leigertwood and Gunther all particularly guilty. Reading chances were few and far between in the first half. Le Fondre glanced a header wide from a tempting Shorey corner and Leigertwood should have done better with a free header at the far post. Everton on the other hand created a string of very good openings. The Everton goal however was nothing to do with the quality of their play. It was by far (I hope!) the softest goal Reading are likely to concede this season. A catalogue of defensive lapses triggered by an awful attempted headed clearance by Gorkss allowed Naismith to stab home from close range. Le Fondre almost equalised immediately after Everton had taken the lead when he beat Howard to a long ball and with the ‘keeper stranded clipped the ball goalwards. It sailed over the covering defenders but sadly also over the unguarded net. Morrison broke through into midfield but it was noticeable how few Reading players were making any effort to break out of defence to provide passing options. McAnuff’s dreadful long range effort near the end of the half perfectly illustrated Reading’s lack of conviction and confidence.

Whatever happened in the dressing room at half time had the most dramatic impact on the game. From the start Roberts made a surging run at the Everton defence to force a corner. Leigertwood mistimed his header again and the ball cleared the bar. Six minutes into the second half yet another excellent free kick into the box by Shorey was met with a perfectly placed header by Le Fondre which gave Howard no chance, and suddenly the game was wide open.

The game sprung to life as Reading began to believe in themselves and Everton began to look much less secure. Everton broke out quickly from a Royals attack and as Jelavic looked certain restore the visitor’s lead he was dispossessed by a tremendous tackle by Morrison. It was a challenge that could have changed the game. Had Morrison’s timing been anything less than perfect it would have been a red card or a goal. Instead it helped Reading to gather momentum. (It is a long time since I have heard Royals fans singing the name of a defender!) At the other end Le Fondre was sent clear by Roberts only to be denied by a similarly well timed last ditch tackle on the edge of the box. There was growing feeling another goal was on its way. It eventually came when Le Fondre controlled a Gunther cross on his chest and was flattened by a rash challenge from behind. Referee Atkinson had a long hard look before pointing to the spot. The Everton protests which followed were more about unnerving the taker than any sense of injustice, but Alfie doesn’t let those antics bother him and slotted the ball past Hoard with apparent ease. Almost immediately Fellaini headed against the post. When the ball rebounded straight into Fedrici’s arms I knew it was finally going to be Reading’s day. Hunt replaced Le Fondre and made a brief but significant contribution (mainly running the ball down to the corner flag to eat up time) and also managed to get himself booked. I even saw Jason Roberts win a header in his own penalty area as Reading saw out the game for s deserved first win of the season.

It was good team performance in which Morrison was outstanding, but Robson-Kanu, Tabb, Shorey and Le Fondre were also in particularly good from. Reading are now out of the bottom three, and was good to see so many smiling faces as everyone made their way home.
John Wells

We have absolutely mugged Everton. they should have been out of sight by HT. Worst I've seen us play first half.

I've been thinking for a while now this is actually exactly what we've needed, I don't mean the win, but to go behind early to mid first half, keep it to just the one and have to try and play our way into a game and come back at the strong. We've looked absolutely clueless when we've gone infront, like we weren't expecting it and we didn't know what to do with it. This way round equalising filled us with confidence, and by the time we took the lead Everton had lost all fluency and we didn't have too long to need to defend it. Superb.

Please lets move on and start picking up some results. I still think Brian should drop Gorkss, who's been abysmal. But Morrison and Robson-Kanu are really coming from nowhere at the moment with some very good performances. ALF could have had 5, but I strongly believe that with a run in the side he'll start putting them away better. He's class. Hard on Pog right now though.
Ian Royal

I reckon if you'd asked Ladbrokes what odds we'd win at half time, they'd have said name your odds. By heck football is a funny game, Reading were unbelievably crap first half and great second half. With Brian in his suit, after the first half display there was every chance it would have been the right attire for his post match sacked interview, but instead I'm sure he had a well deserved great Saturday night for a change and should be ok till the Christmas decorations come down. Stand up Tabby, Morrison, Shorey and Robinson Canoe, all had great games and deserve all plaudits as of course does Alfy for his great header and coolness with the penalty. One swallow doesn't make a summer and just a look at the up coming fixtures makes any Royal fan realise we're still in a precarious position, but lets all hope this fantastic win can hopefully kick start our season, don't forget we're actually in a league of four, 20th to 17th and currently we're top of that league! UURRZZZ
Nick Newbury

Whilst agreeing with everything that has been written about the game by my would be journalist friend Mr Nick Newbury I would just like to add how I do hope the euphoria of the first League win of the season is not allowed to overshadow the ongoing poor performances of Lardarse and Not Enuff. In one paper Jobi was given an assist for the Everton goal! There are many areas of the team that need strengthening come January, but it's so evident that we are in desperate need for Premier proven quality in a creative central midfield position. I'm not a big fan of the Pog but without decent service how is he ever going to deliver the goals he has been brought in for?
Y24 East