That was an extremely good win against dangerous opponents. The performance was decent with the same strengths and weaknesses in our game as most weeks. Today though Adam pulled off some great saves and Shane got the rewards his all round play deserved. On such fine margins results are determined. We looked pretty solid at the back and, except for an individual marking error from Griffin for the goal, we made the opposition work hard for the chances they created. In particular Pearce continued his recent good form. We were hard working and competitive in midfield but gave the ball away on occasions. Leigertwood had a good game and broke up a lot of Derby's attacks. He looks to be getting fitter every week too. McAnuff carried the ball better than in some recent matches but Jimmy still doesn't look right. Long's general play made him the best of our strikers by some distance even disregarding the goals. Hunt and Church were generally both poor I thought and both also missed good chances. All in all this one could have gone either way but I think we were owed one after one or two of the matches recently.
Elmer Park

Two goals from Shane Long were enough to earn Reading a win over Derby at Pride Park. Long opened the scoring from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Shaun Barker just before half-time. Derby drew level on the hour mark as Kris Commons headed home Paul Green's cross at the far post. A fantastic display from goalkeeper Adam Federici kept Reading in it before Long netted in the 88th minute, ending Reading's run of five straight draws.
BBC Sport

Long bagged a brace to seal all three points for Reading and end their recent run of consecutive draws. The 23-year-old striker won and converted a 44th-minute spot kick at Pride Park to notch his fifth of the season and fourth from 12-yards. Rams midfielder Kris Commons looked to have earned his side a point when he headed past the impressive Adam Federici on the hour mark. However, Long popped up with a header just two minutes from time as he converted Jobi McAnuff's cross to stop Reading’s run of five draws in a row. Brian McDermott's unchanged side now find themselves in seventh place in the Championship table and are well placed as they come into their run of Christmas fixtures. Only a handful of loyal Royals made it to Derbyshire, battling through the snow, as many more turned around and abandoned any hope of trying to make the game.
Reading Post