Who would have expected this result after the recent run of form? One win from ten games became two wins from eleven as Reading's first away win since November 2002 saw them jump back into the play-off positions. But this wasn't just a win - it was a win in which Reading scored a massive five goals - and could have sneaked a couple more as they finally found form in front of goal. After last Tuesday's 1-3 home defeat against Leicester an away win seemed a little optimistic. If someone had told you that Burnley had scored two goals you would have to assume we'd lost out not beaten them by three. We had a much improved all round team performance to thank for this win but also inspired performances from John Salako, early on at least, and Steve Sidwell who scored two goals each to send Reading on their way to victory.

After Tuesday's poor performance Alan Pardew promised changes for the game at Burnley. It was perhaps a little disappointing to see Reading back to playing a 4-5-1 formation with Cureton left on the bench once again. The lack of Igoe and Tyson in the starting eleven also seemed to hint at Reading looking at grabbing a single goal win or even going for a draw. Rougier was also dropped leaving Salako and Hughes to play out wide with Sidwell, Newman and Harper in the middle of midfield. Salako has taken a lot of stick recently - but his inclusion in the starting line-up was a master stroke as he put in a stunning opening 45 minutes for the Royals. Steve Sidwell didn't get a chance to shine on his Reading debut but he more than made up for it today with involvement in nearly everything. He scored twice but could have secured a hattrick in the dying minutes.

The first half was a bit scrappy at times and the goals didn't start coming until nearly half time. The first of the seven goals took 37 minutes coming - and from that moment onwards there was plenty of action in front of goal where there hadn't been before. Reading took the lead when Murty and Harper combined to provide a ball for Sidwell running on through from midfield. Sidwell finished excellently, putting the ball under the keeper to make it 1-0 to the Royals. It was a pleasant suprise that became even more pleasant just before half time when a ball was hoofed through by Murty and Salako drove it home from the left side of the box. Reading kept up the pressure and made it 3-0 after half time when Salako scored his second of the game when Hughes hit the ball in from the right and Salako powered it in from the centre of the area. All of a sudden Reading appeared to have the game won and three goals was amazing enough if the game had finished then.

After the defeat at Sheffield Wedneday we're well used to Reading collapses and for a brief while it looked like it might be on the cards yet again. On 55 minutes Burnley pulled one back after a free-kick was hit against the Reading wall and then stuck into the back of the net. Suddenly the game looked evenly balanced as Reading attempted to time waste their way to victory. Marcus Hahnemann failed to win over the home crowd by taking a massive amount of time over everything he did and when the fans behind the goal started throwing all kinds of things at him it was just the excuse he needed to take even longer over it. Burnley had the chance to punish Reading when they won a penalty when Williams was judged to have handled the ball when it was blasted at him. If Burnley had scored that then who knows what might have happened. Instead Hahnemann came to the rescue to push the penalty away and keep Reading's advantage and Reading went down the other end and saw substitute Henderson go down inside the area under a challenge from the goalkeeper. Nicky Forster had a chance to get on the scoresheet but saw his penalty saved. Thankfully Sidwell was charging in to put the rebound into the back of the net and make it 4-1 to Reading with a little over ten minutes remaining.

All of a sudden the game was over, the home fans emptied the ground and Reading relaxed with the away fans celebrating an excellent away victory. Reading didn't really rush anything but still managed to extend the lead as the game ticked over into injury time. Henderson followed up winning the penalty and further rewarded Pardew for calling him off the bench by hitting the back of the net with an excellent shot from the centre of the area. 5-1 to Reading and the celebrations were in full swing. Burnley pulled back another shortly after that with a superb shot from the edge of the area to make it 5-2 - but it was quickly forgotten as a Sidwell header found the crossbar from a Nicky Forster corner. Then it was the final whistle - and a big win the the Royals that pushed them back up to fifth.