The winning run may have been ended today by table-toppers Portsmouth, but the unbeatable defensive record continued with Reading's seventh league fixture without conceeding a goal. The run has seen Matthew Upson at the heart of the defence during each of those games - and this was his last game for the Royals today as he completed a superb loan spell before returning to Arsenal. Upson was as solid as ever today, but there were plenty of signs for all to see that we certainly don't rely on him. We'll miss him, but thankfully we'll be hanging on to Hahnemann, Murty, Williams, and Shorey who should continue to make Reading's defence a near unbeatable barrier to other first Division sides. All of these players had excellent games today but were overshadowed by man-of-the-match James Harper who had a stunning game with Watson starting the game from the bench.

The sold out Madejski Stadium should have gone home satisfied with the entertainment despite the lack of goals. It wasn't a boring 0-0 - in fact it was a lively top of the table clash between two sides that were willing to play the game at a fast pace. The attendance of nearly twenty three and a half thousand filled the Madejski Stadium to make it the biggest crowd to see a Reading FC fixture at their new home, and they perhaps should have seen a Reading win as the Royals claimed the majority of the chances and came closest to finding the back of the net. Right from the start we were reminded that Portsmouth are a side at the top of the Division as they made it hard for Reading to run the midfield like they have over other opposition recently. It was instantly a tight encounter with no room to move for both sides as the tackles went flying in and the ball was being played around at quite a pace. Both defences were clearly solid and there were few chances at either end.

James Harper stood out for the Royals with some excellent tackles and some great balls played right across the park that successfully found their target - one of his best ever games in the hooped shirt. The introduction of Ricky Newman in midfield in place of Watson saw Reading look that bit harder and more aggressive as we continued to challenge for every ball and prevent Portsmouth from ever settling down. Reading's continued pressure on the ball saw Portsmouth scramble balls forward and fail to build any real moves together. They won a few free kicks on the edge of the box but wasted them as they were miles away from the target. The only effort requiring a Hahnemann save was a free-kick that only found the target after deflected off the Reading wall.

Reading looked like they'd stamp their superiority on the game as the first half came to an end. Perhaps if we'd had another ten minutes at the end of the first half we would have won this game as we started to look more and more dangerous finding gaps in the away side's defence. Reading had the better chances overall and so nearly took the lead during the last ten minutes of the first half when they controlled the game. James Harper played in an excellent free-kick from the Reading left that was just over the crossbar and Nicky Forster came to life after at last managing to break past the two players that continued to mark him. He had one shot just over when perhaps he should have cut it back for Hughes who would have surely found the back of the net from close range. A Forster cross from the other side confused the defence and Salako's effort was well held by Hislop on the line.

The second half saw fewer chances for either side. There was more of a feeling that the game could still go either way - it was obvious a single goal would win it if it came. Portsmouth continued to mis-hit it up front by threatened to break through on a number of occassions as they looked more dangerous as the second half went on. Once they broke clean through and seemed certain to score but the shot ended up closer to the corner flag than the back of the net much to our relief. Any crosses put in were few and few between and easily claimed by Hahnemann in the Reading goal. To Pardew's massive credit he continued to chase the full three points and we ended up playing 4-4-2 in persuit of the single goal that would win the game. Reading finished with Forster, Cureton and Butler all on the pitch in an attempt to find the winner. But in the end it was a good point for both sides but Reading may consider themselves unlucky not to take the full three points.
Graham

Following report from John Wells:
There is no doubt in my mind now that Reading are serious contenders for a play-off place. Today the strongest team in this division by far came to the Madejski Stadium and were a little lucky to come away with a point. Pompey have players of the highest quality and have scored more goals than any other team in the division but today they were completely stifled by Reading's superb defensive organisation. Steadier finishing would have given the Royals all three points. Everyone will be sorry to see Upson go, and he will clearly be missed, but the rest of the back four has formed a unit which is defensively secure and, through Murty and Shorey in particular, provide an additional threat going forward.

Perhaps the main reason that teams find Reading so hard to break down is the way the whole team competes for the ball. Forster being the fist line of defence when possession is lost. He never allows defenders to settle on the ball and with a five man midfield which is prepared to work hard behind him, the opposition find it hard to build any kind of pressure.

As early as the first minute Forster slid a great ball across the Pompey six yard area but no-one could make contact. Portsmouth played confident and composed football as you would expect and their movement and precise passing looked as if it might trouble Reading. The Royals were certainly not over-awed by their opponents, breaking up attacks and playing their way smoothly out of their own half. On twenty four minutes Forster came close to opening the scoring with a controlled volley which flew narrowly wide with Hislop rooted to the spot. A minute later his pace took him behind the Pompey defence, but with two team mates in great scoring positions he lashed the ball over. Typical Fozzy - brilliant - then infuriatingly careless.

Harper was having a superb game. His range of passing was excellent. His touch, quick movement and strength on the ball meant he was only caught in possession once, and he rarely wasted a ball. His work rate as usual was phenomenal and on thirty four minutes he almost curled in a free kick from an unlikely position wide on the left.

The first half was drifting into a stalemate when the Royals suddenly burst into life and created a string of openings in the closing minutes. Foster once again was causing havoc with his pace and aggression. The best chance fell to Salako who appeared to side-foot tamely from a tight angle and Hislop caught comfortably. It was a chance that needed to be driven not placed. Then Murty was released by a great ball from Williams down the right. One shot was blocked an the move ended with Shorey hitting the post and the referee blowing for off-side. (Not sure why!)

Reading carried on where they left after half time. Pompey had replaced Burchill with Harper presumably to inject a bit of pace into their attack. The visitors looked dangerous on the counter attack but when they did create openings their shooting was feeble. Newman's passing was becoming loose and he was replaced by Watson with just under half an hour to go. Then about ten minutes later Hughes suffered a similar fate. His passing had become an embarrassment. I was pleased to see Cureton on because I felt he was more likely to create something or score than Hughes, and also because it reflected the belief from the manager that we could win the game. Pardew even threw Butler on for good measure but I didn't think that was going to make much difference, but Rougier had worked hard and was looking weary.

In the closing stages Forster was still causing problems and was without doubt the liveliest forward on the pitch. Harper was still hitting great passes and Pompey always looked threatening, but the game looked destined for a draw. Then perhaps the best chance of the game fell to Forster who had been switched to the right wing when Butler came on. Unfortunately when faced with only the 'keeper he lost his head and blazed his shot high and wide. He should have at least hit he target. If only he could keep his head in those positions! But then if he could, he would probably be playing in the Premiership! Reading's parting shot came from Adie Williams who hit a well directed shot from some distance with his left foot which was only just wide of Shaka's right post. Now that would have been the icing on the cake.