Reading wrapped up the 2005/2006 Championship title, with five games of the season remaining, in plenty of style as Derby Country were demolished by an amazing second half Royals' performance. The first half was very uneventful but the second half was blistering as Reading tore Derby apart, hitting five goals in a twenty-four minute spell. That spell of top drawer football summed up Reading's incredible season that's seen them crowned clear Champions and earning Premiership football for the first time in the club's history. These are unbelievable times for Reading FC - the club and all the fans. Reading have clearly deserved the title all season long, but this was the way to do it with a huge home win. The final whistle saw fans pour onto the Madejski Stadium pitch to celebrate winning the title - which was confirmed when Sheffield United could no longer catch the Royals after only drawing with Stoke City. Shortly after the game ended, the pitch was nearly entirely covered as the players and management appeared outside the directors boxes in the West Stand to spray themselves and the crowd with Champagne. The party that started last weekend as Leicester was set to continue once more.

Things hadn't looked this great at half time. Reading, already promoted of course, only put their foot on the gas after the break when the goals flooded in. A beautiful bit of play by David Kitson set up James Harper to run through the middle to make it 1-0 and put Reading on their way. Bobby Convey put in a perfect cross from the right that Doyle needed the slightest of headers on to guide it into the back of the net to double the lead. With the game now won, Coppell replaced Little and Convey with Oster and Hunt - and both players had immediate impacts for the third goal. Hunt juggled the ball around on the left wing before hooking over a great cross that eventually dropped in the path of Oster who drove it home. Shane Long was next off the bench and hit two goals, including the first with practically his first touch - heading home from Oster's ball in. There was a certain delight with the substitutues having such a big impact and continuing the excellent work the players they had replaced had started. The fifth involved Hunt and Long finished to wrap up a 5-0 victory. The fans went mental once more and the celebrations kicked off in full swing.
Graham

Following report by John Wells:
A four goal salvo in the space of fifteen minutes brought Reading's magnificent season to a fitting climax. After a drab first half, Reading sealed the Championship in style which was fitting in view of some of the superb football they have produced throughout the campaign. Following the futile attempts over the public address to persuade the fans to leave the pitch the Madejski Stadium was treated to lengthy celebrations from the players from the upper tier of the West Stand. It was moment to savour for all true Reading supporters who had waited for many years to see their team finally rise to the highest level of domestic football.

There was very little to say about the first half. Doyle, as always, was lively and Sidwell was breaking forward from midfield. The only chances of note were a Sidwell effort which flew over the bar, a good long range effort from Kitson, and Convey shot which looked goalbound until it was deflected over by Kitson.

Derby wasted a good chance just after half time when a long ball caught the defence ball watching and Smith found himself with only Hahanemann to beat, but lifted his shot over the bar. The game burst into life when Harper scored the first goal when he broke clear and smashed the ball home from just inside the box. That was the signal for Reading to step up a gear. A fine angled cross from Convey was glanced confidently past Camp by Doyle for the second, and then Oster, on for Little steered home the third with his first touch. The fourth was breathtaking. Murty played a slick one two wide on the right and then whipped in a vicious cross which Long met perfectly at the near post with a thumping header which gave Camp no chance. High in the West Stand even the Derby directors and guests rose to their feet spontaneously to applaud what was an outstanding finish. Fuelled with confidence from that Long completed the scoring with another very good finish from a tight angle. It might have been six after Long unselfishly provided Oster with a clear opening. Although he struck his shot well it rebounded from the post. Derby's only other real chance was blocked by Murty on the line with the least favoured part of his anatomy for shot-stopping. Hahnemann gathered the ball from the rebound as Murty went to ground for similar reasons.

It was indeed a great day. An historic day. The rest of the season should now be just one big party. I hope the players can find the motivation to treat us to a couple more performances to enjoy over the next few weeks. The is a great deal to look forward to next season but there is still time to wallow in the glory of this one!