Reading pulled off a massive result this afternoon with a shock victory over table-toppers Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. In front of the biggest crowd to watch Reading this season, and the Sky TV cameras, the Royals once again came back from a goal behind to score two late goals to make it four wins from six games. Sunderland started the game firm favourites after winning eight straight league games in a row to take them clear at the top of the Championship. The home side had previously lost only two league games at home all season, and got off to the more positive start.

Reading had clearly come to play a cautious game and were content to soak up Sunderland's early possession. Marcus Hahnemann had another excellent game as he came steaming off his line to make two crucial saves when Sunderland twice broke through to go one-on-one with the keeper. Although Sunderland were restricted to just a few shooting opportunities they nearly squeezed ahead with an effort that dipped to hit the crossbar. However, Reading continued to frustrate Sunderland with some decent defending until Ingimarsson made a rare mistake seven minutes into the second half when he failed to clear. The ball was crossed from the right and found Murty caught between two players, allowing a straight forward far post header to put Sunderland a goal up.

Once again Coppell made some inspired substitutions to turn the game around. This time he opted for experience with Keown replacing Ingimarsson and Ferdinand replacing Newman as Reading adopted a more forward thinking game. Ferdinand was quickly involved, as Reading started to dominate the game after Sunderland's earlier superiority. Sunderland became pinned in their own half with Reading desperate to take something from the game. The effort paid off with quarter of an hour to go when Forster and Kitson paired up to bundle the ball through the centre of the defence before Kitson got his leg on it to guide it home. Reading were now clearly on top and the winner came after Steve Sidwell burst into the area and was taken down for a penalty. Kitson blasted his spot kick, low to the left of the keeper for his second of the game and to seal an amazing 2-1 victory against the odds.

Reading's return to form couldn't have come at a better time with just four games of the season remaining. Reading's rivals - Preston, Derby, West Ham and Sheffield United - all also picked up wins to keep it tighter than ever for the play-off places.