Saints ruin Reading record

Wright-Phillips condemns Royals to first home defeat

Last updated: 22nd November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Saints ruin Reading record

Wright-Phillips: Brace

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Reading suffered a first home defeat of the season as struggling Southampton battled to a 2-1 win at the Madejski Stadium.

Bradley Wright-Phillips scored a goal in each half for the Saints, with Jimmy Kebe grabbing Reading's consolation.

The hosts started in typically bright fashion and should hve taken the lead through Noel Hunt in the third minute.

Elder brother Stephen broke into the area before teeing up Noel and his shot was heading into the net until it was blocked on the goal line by Jack Cork.

But Jan Poortvliet's side took control of the game and Rudi Skacel should have done much better with a clear shot at the far post when Adam Lallana's corner found its way through to him.

David McGoldrick was then guilty of another bad miss when he dragged a shot wide from 10 yards after a cross by Jordan Robertson but the Saints did break through in the 14th minute.

Crisp move

A crisp passing move found its way out to Lloyd James on the right and his deep cross picked out the unmarked Wright-Phillips at the far post who was able to guide his header into the net.

The former Manchester City man should have made it two when his pace took him clear of Andre Bikey but he put his shot wide of Marcus Hahnemann's far post.

And Lallana was denied a goal in the dying moments of the half when his volley on the stretch from Skacel's cross was brilliantly turned round the post by Hahnemann.

Steve Coppell must have had words with his stuttering side at the break but it was Wright-Phillips again who punished the hosts with his second four minutes into the second half.

He cut inside Liam Rosenior, turned the cumbersome Bikey and rattled a shot across the face of Hahnemann and into the net from the edge of the area.

Frantic end

Coppell reacted by bringing on Czech Republic midfielder Marek Matejovsky and saw his side pull one back in the 57th minute.

Kevin Doyle burst into the area and sent in a vicious low drive which Saints keeper Kelvin Davis could only parry and Kebe was brightest to pounce and slot in his first goal in English football from six yards.

Reading midfielder James Harper then had the ball in the net only to see it ruled out for offside before McGoldrick spurned another chance to kill off the game after a lightning break.

Coppell's side dominated possession but were unable to grab an equaliser in a frantic end to proceedings.