Reading 0 West Ham 3

Reading 0
West Ham 3 (Bellamy 6, Etherington 49, 90)

For a second week running Reading were beaten, and beaten 3-0, deservingly so, this time going down to West Ham, who were always in control.

Early on, after just six minutes Reading were behind, Bowyer picked out Bellamy who escaped his marker Ingimarsson to finish clinically past Hahnemann. It was an uphill task all the way after this.

Harper had a couple of half chances, but he couldn’t really any purchase on either effort, and Noble, who had been tipped as maybe getting a surprise call from England could have done better, and if he should have done better Etherington unquestionably should have. A mistake from Hahnemann allowed him the chance but he could only knock wide.

Late in the half Lita, who was the main threat for West Ham, was inches away from levelling things up as his diving header just went wide of Green’s goal. Even closer to half time, and Reading were even unluckier not to be level as Hunt struck the top of the bar.

As with the first half after having some good possession West Ham broke away and scored a second early in the second half. The dangerous Bellamy picked out Mullins, who had been linked with Reading during the week, and after a neat interchange between Etherington and Mullins, Etherington smashed home.

A great chance to get back into the game came and went as Duberry headed over when completely free from six yards, the fans were obviously disappointed as was Duberry.

West Ham then missed chances of their own when they should have done better, first of all Bowyer shot wide then Etherington, when clean through was denied by a good Hahnemann save.

After Lita has shot wide, when again the effort should have been better a lifeline was handed to Reading as Green fouled Kitson, a penalty was given. Doyle stepped up but Green redeemed himself to turn the kick away.

Cole should have scored another for West Ham before Cisse looked odds on to reduce the deficit in injury time, but his superb defending denied him from only a few yards out. That was the cue for West Ham to break away and Etherington made no mistake as he smashed home his second.

Reading: Hahnemann; Murty (c), Shorey, Duberry, Ingimarsson; Gunnarsson (Cisse 70), Harper, Fae (Kitson 60), Hunt; Doyle, Lita (Convey 75)
Subs: Federici, Bikey

West Ham: Green; Neill (c), McCartney, Ferdinand, Upson; Noble, Mullins, Bowyer (Spector 81), Etherington; Ashton (Cole 65), Bellamy (Boa Morte 90)
Subs: Wright, Gabbidon
Booked: Green