Reading Roars!

Sheffield failed to shine against the Royals at the Madejski this afternoon.

Reading’s Shane Long scored the opening goal (”stabbed in”, as the BBC put it - I like it), with Ecuadorian De La Cruz’ piercing run resulting in Reading’s second just six minutes later.

Knives were sharpened, however, in a gloomy second half. Keith Gillespie, who made me red when performing rather well one evening against Barcelona, saw red just two minutes after arriving as a substitute. He was sent off for apparently elbowing Stephen Hunt.

Still dissatisfied, Gillespie attacked Hunt again on his way to the tunnel. Son, off the pitch!

More madness was to ensue. A touchline clash broke out between both teams, players and staff, with Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock and his opposite Steve Coppell’s assistant Wally Downes sent to the stands.

When the game returned to normal, Hunt put away Reading’s third from close range in the 70th minute, before Sheffield’s Nade gave his side a consolation goal.

The Blades’ fork up has left Reading looking very comfortable indeed - 7th in the table.