Reading made it ten league games unbeaten at home this season, as their eleventh win of the campaign closed the gap on league leaders Wigan to just two points. In a scrappy encounter Reading were probably the better side against Cardiff City who seldom looked like challenging for the points. The visitors were two goals down at the break and then saw Kavanagh dismissed with a straight red card after he appeared to kick Sidwell after also dishing out a bad foul. Reading took the lead just before the quarter hour when Morgan broke into the area on the left and fired the ball in, which deflected off the back of the keeper and into the net. Kitson then doubled Reading's lead with his fifth strike in five games with an excellent goal five minutes before the break. Nicky Shorey played a superb ball into Kitson's path from the left and Kitson steamed through to beat two players and the goalkeeper before sliding the ball home. The second half saw Cardiff briefly look like they might get into the game before Reading calmed the game down and looked comfortable. Hughes nearly increased the lead after a cross from the left but his effort was well saved. Cardiff pulled back a consolation towards the end with a headed goal past Hahnemann but Reading held on with ease to take the full three points.

Following report by John Wells:
Cardiff may be close to the foot of the table, but this was a hard fought victory. Cardiff passed the ball well and remained positive throughout - even when they were reduced to ten men early in the second half. The battle for midfield was intense at times and there were few scoring opportunities, but when they arrived Reading once again demonstrated they have a cutting edge that most teams in this division seem to lack.

The Royals survived an early scare when Morgan's poor header created an opening for Cardiff. Hahnemann saved well getting down smartly to his left to smother the ball. Morgan looked a bit of a liability defensively at times but he posed a real threat going forward. Cardiff were clearly aware of this and almost invariably had two men close him down when he received the ball. Somewhat against the run of play a direct run from Morgan down the left carried him into the penalty area. From a wide position a cross seemed the best option, and indeed it may have been his intention, but the outcome was a soft goal as the ball squirmed past Warner at the near post.

The goal didn't seem to throw Cardiff in the slightest as they continued to play neat football. The only flaw in their game was a tendency to throw tantrums every time a decision went against them. The referee was quick to react in most situations but was rather lenient when Sidwell was clattered midway through the first half. Kavanagh, clearly not the player he was a couple of years ago, was nevertheless doing a good holding job in midfield. It was an even contest, but six minutes before half time Reading made the crucial breakthrough. Shorey nipped in quickly to intercept a predictable pass and released Kitson with an early ball. With typical composure and flair he floated past the last defender before rounding Warner and rolling the ball into the empty net. It turned out to be the winner.

The second half was further evidence of how organised and focussed Reading are when they are defending. Sonko was dominant at the centre, but the back four were shielded once again by an energetic and disciplined midfield. I was impressed at the way Reading refused to be provoked when attempts were made to intimidate them. Justice was finally served when Kavanagh was dismissed for an assault on Sidwell. I doubt that even John Wayne could have matched the swagger with which Kavanagh made his exit. Reading then took control of the game and stretched Cardiff with some excellent long passes. Brooker, on for Morgan, produced the best pass of the match to provide Hughes with the easiest chance of the match. However the delightful forty yard diagonal ball into the box was wasted as Hughes blasted the ball at Warner.

Just to add a bit of excitement near the end, Kitson needlessly conceded a free-kick wide on the right. Hahnemann, having had a good game up that point, committed the cardinal sin for a 'keeper. He came for the cross and failed to gather it, and Jerome's touch sent the ball bouncing into the unguarded goal. There was slight flurry from Cardiff but the result was never really in doubt. Under Coppell we have a young side maturing rapidly into a quite a force to be reckoned with.