Royals hunt the Foxes

Reading ran out 2-0 winners at the King Power Stadium this afternoon, which saw Brian McDermott’s men put in a fantastic performance against big spenders Leicester City.

The Royals made a better start to the game, playing with a high tempo at the King Power Stadium. Matheiu Manset was drafted in following his brace last week against Millwall and came closest to opening the scoring as he jinked past Matt Mills and fired a 25-yard effort wide.

Foxes keeper Kasper Schmichel was then made to work as a good Reading move to led to captain Jobi McAnuff having a shot kept out by the Danish stopper.

Leicester`s only decent effort in the opening exchanges fell to former Royals captain Matt Mills, who tried a bicycle kick which was blocked by the Royals defence after a melee in the box.

Leicester got into the match as the half went on and Bongani Khumalo blocked a Schlupp goalbound effort, then David Nugent almost broke the deadlock with a shot that went inches wide.

The Foxes started the second half the better with Nugent firstly breaking through the Royals defence with Federici gathering but minutes later he came the closest to scoring the game`s first goal but his curling effort hit the post.

Malian winger Jimmy Kebe then broke through the Foxes defence but Schmeichel was equal to his effort and blocked. Then up the other end substitute Andy King stung Federici`s fingertips with a rasping effort.

Danns and Nugent went close for the Foxes before the Royals took the lead at the King Power Stadium. Ian Harte whipped in a corner and an unmarked Noel Hunt blasted a header in past the despairing Schmeichel to give Reading a 1-0 lead.

Kebe was then inches away from doubling the lead as the Malian magician danced through the Leicester defence before striking his effort just wide.

Leicester did not have much in reply with a Bamba header the nearest they came in the closing stages. Instead, the Royals put the game to bed following good work from Jimmy Kebe who set for substitute Hal Robson-Kanu to unleash an unstoppable strike to confirm the 3 points for Brian McDermott`s Reading.

Reading: Federici, Griffin, Khumalo, Pearce, Harte, Kebe, Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Hunt, Masnet (Hal Robson-Kanu 72)

Subs: McCarthy, Gunnarsson, Howard, Obita, Robson-Kanu

Leicester: Schmeichel, Pantsil, Mills, Bamba, Konchesky, Fernandes, Danns (Gallagher 74), Abe (King HT), Wellens, Schlupp (Waghorn 61), Nugent

Subs: Weale, St. Ledger, King, Gallagher, Waghorn