OUTFOXED Reading 2-0 Leicester City

Reading are an animal rights nightmare. Having slayed Wolves on Boxing Day, the Old Berkshire Hunt went Fox Hunting and tore up the carcass of a dumb East Midlands animal last night at the Madejski.

Leicester City came seemingly intent to spoil and they certainly did spoil the game as a spectacle in the first half with a series of niggly fouls and unambitious football, resorting to toe punting the ball up to the muscular frame of Mark de Vries. It was dire viewing in a chilly MadStad on an evening more suited to log fires and slippers than watching Championship football. You can see why the visitors are struggling as they looked a diabolical side tonight and they should be looking over their shoulders at the drop zone on this evidence.

Still, that is of no concern to Reading flying high at the top of the league, but you have to say that Leicester did manage to drag us down to their level for the most part. Floyd on Football is of the opinion that the loss of Glenn Little through injury sustained on Boxing Day is a real blow and that showed tonight as his ready-made replacement John Oster totally failed to shine. Leicester were more than content to sit back and Reading, missing the imperious Little, totally failed to display the guile and craft to break their unambitious visitors down. That said, if referee Wiley had not bottled a decision to award a penalty for a foul by the Foxes 'keeper Douglas on Kitson midway through the first half perhaps Reading might have gone on to win quite handsomely. Unfortunately Wiley dismissed the appeals with an air of incompetent arrogance on a night of bizarre decisions. The Premiership official booked 6 players in all, 4 of them wearing Reading colours which in itself was remarkable given that the visitors won the foul count - the only thing they'll be winning for quite some time.

Can there be a more despicable underhanded snivelling cheat in the Championship than Leicester's Joey Gudjonsson? Floyd on Football had already marked the card of the little Icelandar with the attitude problem after witnessing his gamesmanship in each of the three encounters between the clubs last season, but the Foxes number 16 was on top form tonight. After a controversial first half incident when Doyle was dragged back when clean through only to be flagged offside, Gudjonsson flung himself to ground after a flare up off the ball with Sidwell as if he'd been the victim of a happy-slapping incident, only to spring to his feet when the officials saw no reason to take any action. In the second half, Gudjonsson went right through Sidwell on the touchline and was deservedly cautioned yet had the sheer check to make diving gestures. You reap what you sew in this life and, in a similar way that Robbie Savage is targetted in the Premiership, Gudjonsson may soon begin to find himself on the receiving end and you suspect that, like Savage, he will struggle to take the same kind of treatment that he dishes out.

Thankfully, Reading snared the Foxes in the second half to send Gudjonsson and his cronies back home to Leicester empty handed as they deserved to be for their cynical gamesmanship throughout. The first goal came after the otherwise solid Gerrbrand slipped to allow the ever-willing DOYLE to skip clear and finish cooly under Douglas for the break-through. After a flurry of substitutions which saw Shane Long make his debut, fellow substitute Bryn GUNNARSSON flicked a looping header over the Leicester 'keeper from Shorey's set-piece delivery following a foul on Doyle. That came with barely 5 minutes remaining and Reading wiped the metaphorical Foxes blood over their faces with a tenth straight league win. Sometimes, blood sports don't quite seem as cruel.


Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Oster (Gunnarsson, 83), Sidwell, Harper, Convey (Hunt, 71), Doyle, Kitson (Long, 80). Subs not used: Stack, Makin.

Floyd's Favourite: Sonko. Towering. Leicester's long-ball tactics were meat and drink.

SLAYED Wolves 0-2 Reading

So, come on feel the noise. The sound of silence yesterday at Molineux as Reading delivered a Boxing Day knockout blow to pre-season favourites Wolverhampton Wanderers title hopes. The West Midlanders are now a woolly mammoth 27 points behind the Championship elephants Reading Football Club.

Yet it was all supposed to be so very different for poor old Glenn Hoddle. Clearly distraught after his team were comprehensively beaten, he bemoaned his side's "worst performance since I've been here" and a result that "I didn't see coming" - obviously Eileen Drewery's powers must have weakened somewhat. Indeed it was all talk from Wolves before the game as Coppell maintained his usual radio silence; Rohan Ricketts, who ran through the heart of the Reading defence to score a winner when last we met, claimed before the match that he didn't believe league leaders Reading "are better than us" despite overwhelming statistical evidence to the contrary.

Ricketts was the second Championship midfielder in the space of a few weeks after Southampton's Nigel Quashie to insist in the national media than their own underachieving sides are better than the run-away Championship leaders. You have to wonder sometimes whether such ill-judged comments are bourne out of the fact that we are only little old Reading - after all, anyone with half a brain can see that on the first half of the season showing we are an outstanding side in this league. Wolves fans were the most recent set of supporters to serenade us with "you've never won fuck all", forgetting that it's isn't who you were but what you're doing now that counts - ask Keith Harris and Orville.

To call this Wolves worst performance in the 12 months of Hoddle's reign does Reading an injustice in the eyes of Floyd on Football, as we did a job on the home side who we sussed out from the offset and restricted to long range chances, most of which were despatched desperately high over Hahnemann's crossbar. Reading should have led in the opening minutes as the Wolves goal led an extraordinarily charmed last as Kitson bounced a header against the crossbar after Little had fed Convey's half cleared corner back into the box. The rebound fell to Kitson who again thumped a header goalbound to be denied by the same section of woodwork again, a third headed chance landing the way of Gunnarsson whose effort landed on the roof of the net. Wolves were to see more of Little's crossing ability and Kitson's heading skills later on.

At the other end, the home side only threatened from distance, Seol wrapping a fizzer just wide of Hahnemann's right hand post. Kenny Miller had already volleyed well over the crossbar under pressure from Reading's Scrooge-like defence, and Wolves never really looked likely to pounce. Penalty appeals had already been waved away at either end, Doyle appearing to be bundled over on the edge of the Wolves area and Murty having apparently handled in the Reading box, before referee Tanner did finally point to the spot. Unfortunately for Wolves, it was the centre spot and the award of the first goal of the afternoon for Reading - Little winning the ball back off the highly rated Joleon Lescott before beating three men and centring the ball for KITSON to dispatch an easy header past Postma. The Reading fans, full of seasonal cheer behind the goal at the opposite end, celebrated with glee reminding the home faithful "that's why we're top the league".

Reading were well and truly on the front foot and the industrious Doyle forced his way in familiar style down the right flank to be denied at an angle by Postma. Reading were destroying the home team down that side and it must have been of great relief to Hoddle that Glenn Little had to limp off with a nasty gash to the knee at half time - the third time in the last three visits to Molineux that we have lost a key player to injury. On those previous two ocassions, the match turned for the worse after losing Nicky Forster in the 2003 play-off semi final and skipper Murty in the league defeat last season, but it is a sign of the team spirit we have now and the organisational skills of Steve Coppell that the loss of our in-form right winger was a mere blip on the day. Indeed, replacement John Oster got into the grove very quickly and provided the cross for Kitson to header powerfully into the net ten minutes into the second half - only to be denied a second goal by the referee following what had been an obvious push on his opponent.

Wolves response was for the most part high, wide and not very handsome although Seol crashed a header against the same crossbar which had twice denied Kitson after a cross from former England international Darren Anderton. Reading had earlier been denied twice by Postma, Harper's effort parried after hard work by Kitson to force his way into the box and Gunnarsson's header pushed over the bar following Oster's quality delivery from a freekick. Wolves biggest home crowd of the season didn't have long to wait for a second Reading goal though, on 64 minutes Bobby CONVEY picked the ball up in midfield, hurried towards goal and let rip from outside of the area. The ball cannoned off Postma's left hand post giving the keeper no chance as it nestled beautifully into the netting on the other side. Convey celebrated in front of the jubilant travelling faithful who didn't waste an opportunity to taunt the home support who had been fairly quite since the opener and were mute from then on, before leaving en masse well before the end - how very different from the crowing and intimidation of our most recent couple of unpleasant visits.

As usual, with 12 goals conceded in the league all season, you expect Reading to hold on to a two goal advantage with ease and that is exactly what we did, save for a thundering Miller effort from 25 yards which spanked that very busy crossbar. Postma saved again from Doyle before the end, but 2-0 and the air of silent deflation from 3 and a half sides of Molineux at full time was a most satisfying Bank Holiday result all round, coupled with the news of Sheffield United's capitulation at home to Norwich. Here it is, Merry Christmas. Everybody's having fun. Look to the future now it's only just begun.


Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Little (Oster, 45), Gunnarsson, Harper, Convey (Hunt, 79), Doyle, Kitson. Subs not used: Stack, Makin, Brown.

Floyd's Favourite: Kitson. Led the line well.

WE'RE HAVING A LAUGH 23-up

Saturday's win at Millwall, as well as being the 8th consecutive league win, extended the unbeaten league run to 23 games - Reading Football Club have officially gone 50% of a league season undefeated which is extraordinary form in such a competitive division. At the risk of jinxing the team ahead of a testing festive season programme, this is something well worth celebrating and here in black and white is the unbeaten run in all it's glory:

9/8 (A) Brighton w2-0
13/8 (A) Preston North End w3-0
20/8 (H) Millwall w5-0
27/8 (A) Watford d0-0
29/8 (H) Burnley w2-1
10/9 (A) Coventry City d1-1
13/9 (H) Crystal Palace w3-2
17/9 (H) Crewe w1-0
24/9 (A) Norwich City w1-0
28/9 (A) Southampton d0-0
1/10 (H) Sheffield United w2-1
16/10 (H) Ipswich Town w2-0
18/10 (A) Hull City d1-1
22/10 (A) Stoke City w1-0
29/10 (H) Leeds United d1-1
1/11 (H) Sheffield Wednesday w2-0
5/11 (A) Queens Park Rangers w2-1
19/11 (H) Hull City w3-1
22/11 (A) Ipswich Town w3-0
26/11 (A) Plymouth Argyle w2-0
3/12 (H) Luton Town w3-0
10/12 (H) Brighton w5-1
17/12 (A) Millwall w2-0

X-FACTOR Millwall 0-2 Reading

As the chasing pack in the Championship continue to waver and wobble like a bunch of 6th form girls out on a college Christmas do, the Reading FC: Premiership Project bandwagon rolled into South East London yesterday afternoon, parked up for an hour or two to do the dirty work and then stormed out of the metaphorical garage like some sort of A-Team tribute band with a newly established 6 point lead over their nearest rivals and an astonishing 20 point lead over 3rd place.

Bottom vs Top this was, but for the most part during the first half it looked like two ordinary Championship teams having a go at each other - end-to-end and lacking in quality. Millwall were like a wounded lion playing for pride; abrasive and feisty, they poured forward wth power if not pace and showed plenty of spirit. The outcome could have been so very different if Dunne hadn't thundered a header against the crossbar with Hahnemann well beaten midway through the first half, the first real effort of note. That slice of luck always seem to land on the plate of a team flying high and playing with confidence and buoyed by that let off Reading took a barely deserved lead into the break with the one piece of quality play in the half.

A move full of intent was engineered down the right flank; Murty's ball was laid of by Kitson to Doyle on the edge of the area. The Irishman had a crowd of bodies around him and so cleverly picked out SIDWELL 12 yards out with a lofted pass. The ginger ninja let rip on the volley and the ball flew into the top corner, the kind of goal you score when you've won each of your last 7 league games and the travelling army of supporters chanted quite appropriately "that's why we're top the league". With a scarcely deserved advantage at the break, Millwall must have wondered what hit them two minutes into the second half of a game in which they had been more than competitive. Little's through ball sent Doyle scampering clear of the leaden-footed home defence. Advancing into the box, the Leprechaun's legs were removed from under him by a clumsily desperate challenge from Millwall's Craig. Red card for Craig, Doyle left in a crumpled heap like discarded christmas wrapping paper and a chance for Kitson who had a 100% success rate from the spot for Reading.

The penalty was unconvincing and was struck down the middle and saved by the legs of the Millwall keeper. As Kitson rushed in to tuck away the rebound he appeared to slip and the ball fell for Sidwell who sliced wide. This let off lifted the home crowd and provided the spark for 25 minutes of thrilling football which followed. With a man advantage, Reading's wingers cut their desperate opponents to shreds - Little released Convey who drove a clear chance agonisingly wide. Little himself was put clear on the right hand side, made inroads towards goal and finished delightfully with a chip.....which astonishingly bounced the wrong side of the far post. Two incredible let offs for Millwall, whose keeper also denied Sidwell with an outstanding stop after a twenty yard low driven fizzer of a shot. At the other end Millwall had chances which belied their one man disadvantage, almost levelling seconds after the penalty save when Hahnemann saved from Bruce's effort which certainly was not Dyer, May's low driven freekick was skillfully gathered by Hahnemann with Millwall players ready to pounce and Whitbread nodded over onto the top of the net.

Floyd on Football had remained positive and confident thus far throughout the game but now nerves were starting to be frayed. With Sheffield United dropping points the previous evening it was crucial for us not to slip up ourselves the following day and despite tearing into Millwall's ten men seemingly at will, the home side were refusing to lie down and die and had caused nervous moments at the other end. With twenty minutes left, for the umpteenth time in the second half Reading attacked down the flank with menace. This time it was Shorey who dribbled towards the edge of the box, fed Doyle who was at an angle with Little waiting at the far post. Ignoring his team mate who would have been left with a tap in, DOYLE went alone and clipped the ball into the far corner with panache. The goal was celebrated raucously by the visiting support behind that goal, those nerves and doubts were now put to bed and the closing stages were played out with Reading seeking a third which they'd have deserved in terms of chances created - Little and Kitson going close and Millwall's Dunne almost scoring a comedy own goal in front of the jubilant Reading supporters who were singing their satisfaction at another successful away day.

The journey home was just as happy and boisterous - Reading fans kept behind in the walkway to South Bermondsey station for 15 minutes or so after the game were more than happy to wait in the circumstances, particularly as it gave ample opportunity to serenade the raging Millwall supporters filing past for their trains to the strains of "6 points clear my lord", "Top o'the league, we're having a laugh" and of course "Feed the Millwall, let them know it's Christmas time". Millwall fans may not enjoy the festive season as much as Reading supporters undoubtedly will.

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Little (Oster, 82), Sidwell (Gunnarsson, 79), Harper, Convey, Doyle (Hunt, 87), Kitson. Subs not used: Stack, Brown.

Floyd's Favourite: Doyle. Could it be magic?

FSB Reading 5-1 Brighton

Another resounding win for Reading, but much of the focus was on a man who didn't kick a ball in anger all afternoon - the visiting manager Mark McGhee. Time, they say, is a great healer and McGhee didn't get quite the usual ferocity of abuse from the Reading faithful today as he has taken in the past but the usual taunting was enough to send the man into a grumpy outburst during the post match press conference.

Unable to compliment a side clearly far superior to his own, McGhee insisted that Reading would achieve promotion "if they get help from referees like they did today" and slated the home support for not getting behind their own side, choosing instead to have a go at him. McGhee also took a swipe at the crowd, insisting that if Brighton were flying high as Reading are and playing in a stadium as good as the Madejski then "the place would be hanging from the rafters" - as if they even manage to sell out at their 7,000 capacity temporary home at Withdean every week!

The pain on his face was plain to see. He desperately wanted to beat Reading, he desperately wants to beat us on every ocassion he faces us, but his record against Reading is abysmal. Since leaving in 1994, he has returned to Reading on 8 ocassions and only managed the 1 win against us. He cannot understand why he gets stick and he bites back on every ocassion, leaving Reading supporters with a warm glow inside after yet another victory against his side - 4 wins out of 4 against Brighton since they returned to this league under McGhee's stewardship via the play-offs a year and a half ago. McGhee is of the opinion that he should be respected for what he achieved at Reading and he has a valid point. However, he would do well to remember that for all that we owe him he owes us just as much for John Madejski taking a chance on an untried and untested veteran player back in 1991 when he could have gone for someone with far more experience. Mark McGhee would be nothing without Reading FC and if he could only have turned the other cheek over the years then the abuse and teasing would have stopped long ago.

McGhee's ranting was all the more amusing as his view on things is clearly as twisted as his bitter attitude towards RFC. The referee had a nixed game overall, but he was clearly correct in the two major decisions. Young Seagulls debutant Michael Elphick was booked in the early minutes of the game for hauling back Doyle and Floyd on Football counted at least a further three fouls before Kitson was similarly upended early in the second half. McGhee complained that as he was making his league debut, referee Taylor should have shown Elphick some leniency. Sheer nonsense - referees get criticised as it is for inconsistency and whether it it an 18 year old on his debut or a veteran 38 year old in his final season, all players should be treated the same. Elphick performed wretchedly and had to rely on foul play on several ocassions; Taylor was right to send the player off.

As for the other major incident, replays this morning have shown that Kitson was clearly upended in the box as Little swung in the freekick following Elphick's final act of the day. Managers often seem to claim that black is white in order to save their own skins but to argue that this incident didn't merit the award of a penalty kick was sheer nonsense - you can bet your bottom dollar that McGhee would have demanded a spot kick down the other end for a similar offence. KITSON drove in the resultant penalty and a defensive-minded Brighton found themselves two down early in the second half, following OATWAY's comic own goal in the first half after good work by Little. This was hardly a vintage Reading performance but the class difference was obvious and the remainder of the game against ten dogged Albion men was a walk in the park. KITSON was in the right place to bury a header past Blayney after Shorey's shot was deflected into his path and substitute Steve HUNT nutted past the beleagured Seagulls keeper at the far post after a cross from the Reading left back.

Brighton's consolation, a long range ripper by KAZIM-RICHARDS would hardly have brought a smile to McGhee's face, especially as Reading had the last word right on time when KITSON completed a hatrick with another authoritative header with Steve Hunt bundling the ball in over the line just to make sure. It was emphatic and nothing went for the Seagulls all afternoon which might explain McGhee's mood as he raced over to the officials at full time with the taunts of the East Stand ringing in his ears. Perhaps, rather than slating Reading FC supporters in his post-match comments, McGhee might do better to focus on the very obvious shortcomings of his own side. It may be some years before Brighton's new stadium will be "hanging from the rafters" as their manager puts it, as they look light-years away from having a successful team. Meanwhile, the club that McGhee left all those years ago is on the brink of achieving something that he never gave himself chance to achieve in his time at the club - promotion to the top flight. How utterly galling that must be for the man; Cheer up, Mark McGhee.

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Little (Oster, 79), Sidwell, Harper (Gunnarsson, 73), Convey, Doyle (Hunt, 73), Kitson. Subs not used: Stack, Makin.

Floyd's Favourite: Little. Brighton couldn't cope.

GO WEST FA Cup 3rd round draw

Reading were the second team drawn out of the hat in this afternoon's FA Cup third round draw following West Bromwich Albion, which means we will have a trip to the Hawthorns on the weekend of January 7th/8th 2006.

This will be only the second ever FA Cup tie between the teams, 2nd division Albion knocking out Reading of Division 3 South from the 1947/48 competition by two goals to nil at the Hawthorns. However, more recently in the League Cup we have twice eliminated the Baggies - at Elm Park in 1967 with a 3-1 win over the then 1st division side and 5-3 on aggregate in 1995 after a James Lambert inspired Reading memorably triumphed 4-2 at the Hawthorns in the second leg.

Floyd on Football considers this to be a good draw. It will be a more realistic barometer of our top flight ambitions than the recent phoney war Arsenal Carling Cup tie, there should be a good Reading support on the day with a realistic chance at beating a Premiership team on their own patch.

FLYING Reading 3-0 Luton Town

We didn't exactly cruise to victory this afternoon at the Madejski, but after a terbulant 90 minute flight the RFC promotion Airbus touched down safely as twinkle-toed Wing Commander Little left visitors Luton needing oxygen.

Luton themselves are flying. Up from League One last season and they have found themselves at altitude in the Championship again this season. They have already done the double over those highly fancied aviators, the Eagles of Crystal Palace and despite this loss are still tucked in nicely in the play-off undercarriage. The manner of the defeat was harsh on the visitors from that grubby little town next to the M1 for they dominated large chunks of a second half as leaden Reading looked to have swallowed a metaphorical half-time in-flight meal. But it is the sign of a good side to show that quality to take chances when they come along and score yourself a flattering wing. And if you listen to Hatters manager Mike Newell pre-match then it's almost time for the Premiership seat-belt sign to come on.

This was a lively game between two high flying teams in the first half. Reading just about shaded it on chances, Sidwell plunging to direct a header at the body of Beresford early on after being picked out by Convey's corner. At the other end Luton were keen to push forwward and as fairly fresh-faced Championship upstarts they almost nicked an impudent goal when Hahnemann's eccentric chested clearance caused Shorey some flight sickness and Carlos Edwards was able to nip in and drive the ball towards goal. Fortunately Hahnemann was retreating and able to pluck the ball out of the air as if he was playing Ultimate Frisbee. Down the other end it was Doyle's turn to be denied following a corner, Beresford's outstretched arm foiling the Irishman. Lita was crowded out by the Luton defence after Little glided his way to the byline and Convey connected beautifully to volley Little's well worked corner only to be denied by a deflection. Vine almost caught Hahnemann unawares with a neat volley from ex-Royal Morgan's cross but just when it seemed that an entertaining half would end goaless, the footballing god's intervened.

After good work by the lively Shorey down the left, the ball was only cleared to SIDWELL who let fly from 25 yards. The delicious slice of luck only enjoyed by league leaders intervened at this point as a firmly struck effort seemed to be covered by Beresford before taking a large deflection off a Luton defender and arching into the net over the 'keeper. Glory be. The second half was a different kettle of fish though. Luton pinned Reading back for long periods and whilst not exactly creating a string of threatening chances, they did bother Hahnemann once or twice. The moody Morgan headed firmly at the far post and was denied by the huge Yank, whilst Showumni shot wide as the Hatters forced a string of dangerous corners. Ingimarsson should have perhaps down better with a free header from a Reading corner and his opposite number in the Luton back four Perrett was denied by Hahnemann after a looping header. At this point, Floyd on Football had grave concerns that Reading could hold on for their 6th league win in a row.

No worries. A generously awarded freekick was floated in by the ubiquitous Little and substitute KITSON stole in to head over the advancing Beresford. That knocked the stuffing out of brave Luton and Reading eased home in the final fifteen minutes, finally playing the sort of football which has been so familiar and enjoyable from the boys in Blue and White this season. After a succession of quick-fire half chances and testing crosses, it was left for Glen Little once again to pull something magic out of the hat; his accurate floated ball following Murty's good work was thumped home by the soaring DOYLE. 3-0 was empahtic and even more gratifying as Runway leaders Reading had struggled to get off the ground for much of the game.

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Little (Oster, 90), Sidwell, Harper, Convey (Hunt, 66), Doyle, Lita (Kitson, 58). Subs not used: Stack, Makin.

Floyd's Favourite: Little. Two moments of quality swung the game back in our favour.