Reading 3 Brighton & Hove Albion 0
By Tim Hodges
Albion’s previous tormentor was at it again this afternoon.
Jobi McAnuff, who scored a last-minute winner for Crystal Palace at Withdean back in 2005, scored twice in the first half for Reading.
Albion’s misery was completed with an own goal from Adam El-Abd in the final few minutes.
It was from a Jimmy Kebe cross that McAnuff scored his first, drilling the ball low into the corner with a little more than 15 minutes played.
Although Albion looked like they were a match for the Royals all they could muster in the first half were wayward shots from Matt Sparrow and El-Abd.
Seconds before the half-time whistle Andy Griffin launched the ball into the penalty area, and that man McAnuff struck a shot that appeared to take a deflection but ultimately put Reading 2-0 up.
In the second half Albion substitutes Craig Noone and Billy Paynter featured prominently. Noone caused the Royals defence all kinds of problems. He picked out Billy Paynter but the loanee missed a glorious chance from close range.
Noone also provided Craig Mackail-Smith with a great chance late in the game, but the £2 million man put his effort wide.
As the game was reaching its conclusion a hopeful cross from Kebe was turned into his own net by Brighton-born El-Abd.
Reading: Federici; Cummings, Pearce, Gorkks, Griffin; Kebe, Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Le Fondre, Church. Subs: Andersen, Harte,
Hunt, Tabb, Antonio
Albion: Ankergren; El-Abd, Dunk, Greer, Taricco; Bridcutt, Sparrow, Harley; LuaLua, Mackail-Smith, Buckley. Subs: Brezovan, Hall, Navarro, Paynter, Noone.
Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)
