Reading were condemned to their fifth straight loss in all competitions, as Watford gained their first win of the season after winning 2-0 at the Madejski Stadium, thanks to goals from Mark Yeates and John Eustace.
It was a fairly uneventful start to game until the 12th minute when Sean Dyche`s side look the lead. Alex Pearce brought down Weimann on the edge of the box and up stepped Mark Yeates who put his effort over the wall and into the back of net to give the Hornets the lead.
There wasn`t much of a response from the Royals with Jonathan Hogg having an effort saved by Federici minutes later. It was a home debut for Joseph Mills but almost gave Watford a chance to double their lead as his slip let Sordell in but recovered well to stop the England U21 striker.
The Royals then had their best chance minutes later as former Watford player Jobi McAnuff cut inside and crossed the ball in, only for Mathieu Manset to head over under pressure.
With Ian Harte out of the team, Joseph Mills stepped up to free kick duty and came close with a 30-yard effort that just deflected wide off the Watford wall. Reading failed to really test Scott Loach and up the other end, Mark Yeates had another 25-yard free kick but one that Federici claimed confidentially.
Another player making his debut for the Royals was Adam Le Fondre, who had a half chance as Mathieu Manset worked his way into the box, but his ball across goal was cut out by Martin Taylor.
Brian McDermott would have surely have rallied his troops in the dressing room at half time in an effort to stop their baron run but it was Watford who doubled their lead on 51 minutes. Joe Mills gave away a free kick which wasn`t cleared properly by Reading and John Eustace profited as he had the simple job of scoring from 8 yards out.
Reading looked all over the place with no leadership or shape and gave no sort of response, with a poor Leigertwood shot their only real effort in the second half at a subdued Madejski Stadium.
Watford continued to look comfortable as Reading fell to their fifth straight defeat and fans vented their frustration at full time as boos ringed round a dejected Madejski Stadium.
Player Ratings
Federici 6
Couldn’t do anything about the two goals
Griffin 5
Can’t remember him going past the halfway line. Was getting beaten for fun on occasions
Pearce 5
Looked quite clumsy at times and gave away quite a few free kicks in dangerous positions. Looked weak in the air as well.
Gorkss 7
The only positive to come out of the game. Looked calm and composed and can play the ball.
Mills 6
Decent enough debut. Could out of position a few times but had the pace to make up for it. Set pieces looked OK.
Kebe 4
Didn’t look interested. Drifted out of positions quite a few times which left Griffin stranded.
Karacan 6
Tried but looked a little off the pace today. Did a decent job at right back in the second half.
Leigertwood 5
Looks like the honeymoon period is over with Ledge as he looked like the player Neil Warnock gave away. Was getting beaten too easily and hardly completed a pass.
McAnuff 5
Never plays well against his former side. Looked like a threat occasionally but dallies on the ball way too much.
Manset 5
Looked like a League Two player today. Getting beaten in the air and first touch was poor.
Le Fondre 6
Non-existent. I felt sorry for him today as he had no service whatsoever. Ball was hoofed up to him on many occasions and can’t do much on that front.
