Reading v
Watford
Fri 9th Jan - The Madejski Stadium
By Simon Fudge
Norwich City missed the opportunity to go three points clear on promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion after losing 1-0 at Crystal Palace.
With the Baggies' match at Stoke City called off because of extremely high winds at The Britannia Stadium, Nigel Worthington's Canaries had the chance to take sole possession of first place in the First Division table.
However, a Wayne Routledge strike four minutes before the break gave The Eagles all three points to keep their hopes of reaching the play-offs alive.
Sheffield United moved into third after 2-0 victory over Bradford City in the Yorkshire derby at Bramall Lane.
Two goals in the space of two minutes from Chris Morgan and Jack Lester two gave Neil Warnock's side an important victory, as they stay eight points behind the front two.
A first half brace from Jason Roberts was enough to give Wigan Athletic a 2-1 home win over Coventry City to take them fourth in the table.
Stephen Warnock scored a second half consolation for The Sky Blues, who come back to earth following their mid-week thrashing of Preston North End.
Sunderland are back in the play-off places after a 2-0 win at Reading, as two second half goals in a minute from Darren Byfield and Tommy Smith gave The Black Cats all three points.
The visitors' day was soured as Jeff Whitley was sent off with seven minutes left for a second bookable offence.
Ipswich Town drop out of the play-off zone, despite a 4-1 thrashing of Watford in a noon-hour kick-off at Portman Road.
A Dean Bowditch hat-trick sent Joe Royle's side on their way to victory, with Jermaine Wright scoring Town's fourth in the last minute while Scott Fitzgerald scored the Hornets' lone goal just before the break.
A Ben Williams own-goal gave Cardiff City a 1-0 win over Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road.
Walsall earned a key win as they look to pull away from the drop zone with a 2-1 win at Preston North End.
Matt Fryatt gave The Saddlers the lead after two minutes in but The Lilywhites drew level through a Graham Alexander penalty seven minutes after half time.
However, Mark Wright sealed the points for Colin Lee's side, as Preston's lack of form continues.
Gillingham also recorded a key win in their hopes of avoiding relegation with a 2-0 home success over struggling Rotherham United.
Two goals in the space of four first half minutes from Barry Ashby and Mamady Sidibe sealed all three points for The Gills.
Derby County boosted their chances of avoiding the drop with a 4-2 East Midlands derby win over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest at Pride Park.
The Rams got goals from Ian Taylor, two from recent signing Paul Peschisolido and Marcus Tudgay to seal the points.
Forest, however, made it interesting with goals from Gareth Taylor just before the break and Gareth Williams in the second half.
Forest are just a point clear of the relegation zone while Derby draw level on points with idle Burnley, who had their match at home to bottom club Wimbledon called off for safety reasons at Turf Moor.
Click below for individual match reports:
Crystal Palace 1 Norwich City 0
Sheffield United 2 Bradford City 0
Wigan Athletic 2 Coventry City 1
Reading 0 Sunderland 2
Ipswich Town 4 Watford 1
Crewe Alexandra 0 Cardiff City 1
Preston North End 1 Walsall 2
Gillingham 2 Rotherham United 0
Derby County 4 Nottingham Forest 2
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Friday 9th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 20:00 | Reading vs Watford |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Swansea vs Reading |
| Tuesday 27th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Reading vs Wolverhampton |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | QPR vs Reading |
| Tuesday 3rd February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Doncaster vs Reading |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Reading vs Preston |
| Saturday 14th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Derby vs Reading |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Reading vs Bristol City |
| Saturday 28th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Reading vs Nottm Forest |
| Tuesday 3rd March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Sheff Wed vs Reading |
| Saturday 7th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Plymouth vs Reading |
| Tuesday 10th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Reading vs Charlton |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Reading vs Ipswich |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Crystal Palace vs Reading |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Coventry vs Reading |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Reading vs Sheff Utd |
| Monday 13th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Blackpool vs Reading |
| Saturday 18th April | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Reading vs Barnsley |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 3rd January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Cardiff 2 - 0 Reading | |
| Sunday 28th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Southampton 1 - 1 Reading | |
| Friday 26th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Reading 1 - 1 Cardiff | |
| Saturday 20th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Birmingham 1 - 3 Reading | |
| Saturday 13th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Reading 2 - 0 Norwich | |
| Tuesday 9th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Reading 1 - 0 Blackpool | |
| Saturday 6th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Barnsley 0 - 1 Reading | |
| Monday 1st December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Reading 3 - 1 Coventry | |
| Tuesday 25th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Cardiff 2 - 2 Reading | |
| Saturday 22nd November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Reading 1 - 2 Southampton | |
| Saturday 15th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Utd 0 - 2 Reading | |
| Saturday 8th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Reading 3 - 0 Derby | |
| Saturday 1st November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Bristol City 1 - 4 Reading | |
| Tuesday 28th October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Burnley 1 - 0 Reading | |
| Saturday 25th October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Reading 0 - 0 QPR | |
| Tuesday 21st October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Reading 2 - 1 Doncaster | |
| Saturday 18th October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Preston 2 - 1 Reading | |
| Saturday 4th October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Reading 3 - 1 Burnley | |
| Tuesday 30th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Wolverhampton 0 - 3 Reading | |
| Saturday 27th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Reading 4 - 0 Swansea | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 26 | 58 |
| 2 | Reading | 26 | 51 |
| 3 | Birmingham City | 26 | 51 |
| 4 | Cardiff City | 26 | 44 |
| 5 | Burnley | 26 | 43 |
Dagenham defender Magnus Okuonghae is attracting interest from clubs in the Championship and League One.
Graeme Murty admits he 'jumped at the chance' to build up his match fitness at Charlton.
Reading defender Graeme Murty has agreed to join Charlton on a month-long loan deal.
Reading are reported to be showing an interest in Amiens striker Abdoulaye Balde.
Stockport County have lined up a double loan deal for Robbie Threlfall and Dave Mooney.