It's impossible to heap enough praise on Alan Pardew at the moment. After his award winning November he has been faced with a run of four difficult fixtures that resulted in three defeats and not a single goal scored. His tactics for the season so far had worked a treat until the recent wobble and thanks to his tactical decisions and a great team performance Reading were able to bounce back against an average Derby County side. On the first day of the season Derby beat us 0-3 and looked a Division apart from the Royals. Today it could have been the other way round and Derby frequently looked lost and Reading always looked more dangerous and more likely to take the deserved victory.

Pardew made big changes to the line up to produce a far more positive Reading performance as we went on the hunt for goals. Salako and Hughes both found themselves out of the team and Watson was on the bench allowing Tyson and Shorey to link up down the left and Igoe and Murty to link up down the right. In the middle we had the famous Butler / Cureton partnership. Sammy Igoe, coming straight back into the team, played a blinder. Tyson also had an excellent game, but where he sometimes tried to beat one man too many and lost the ball, Igoe would also lay off an excellent pass forwards and keep Reading possession. Igoe was twisting and turning the Derby defence inside out throughout the entire ninety minutes and added an infinite amount to Reading attacking game.

After just five minutes of the game Tyson and Igoe paid Pardew off for their inclusion in the starting eleven. Igoe legged it in from the right side of the pitch, cutting past a few defenders to open up the defence. Butler ran through the middle and was probably in a perfect place to score himself - but he's done more than enough by drawing defenders. Igoe raced towards the middle and provided a low cross behind Butler to Nathan Tyson who had ran into the box on the left. Tyson, without any pressure on him, hit the ball firmly across the goalkeeper and into the bottom right of the Derby net. An excellent goal and the perfect start to put Reading 1-0 up. Reading could have increased the lead with a near repeat of the move just minutes later when Igoe again broke through and passed to Tyson who couldn't find the target. Reading's injection of pace and skill up front was a joy to see.

Reading's lead didn't last long when Igoe clearly handled the ball inside the Reading area. Hahnemann dived to his right for the resulting penalty kick and the ball was put low and to his left as Derby pulled level. In a game where the referee looked unlikely to book a single player despite Derby's rather rough game plan, it was fitting that Igoe would be the only Reading player to go into the book. Such was his performance in the game he appeared to be involved in everything of note that took place on the pitch.

It wasn't only bookings that the referee was strangely failing to hand out as Derby continued to hack down players with late tackles left, right and centre, he obviously only had a quota of one penalty per match. Having given Derby the penalty early on in the game he continued to miss at least two blatant penalties in the Derby area that would have been spot kicks for the Royals. One was given outside the box and another simply ignored as Reading continued to put more pressure on the Derby goal.

Other than the penalty Derby looked unlikely to score again against a tough Reading defence. The majority of the action was down the other end where Reading won a serious of corners and looked more likely to go back ahead. Igoe had an excellent shot when he picked a loose ball up just on the edge of the box. The goalkeeper did well to make a save from Igoe's powerful effort that was well on target. The second half continued in the same pattern despite a period of scrappy play where neither side were able to really put any pressure on either goal.

Reading always looked good for the win, but with time running out, we started to think we'd have to settle for the draw and the chances were few and far between. There was always a hint of hope with Igoe on the pitch playing some continually excellent balls forward. Butler did a good job of entertaining the Derby defence all afternoon and clearly was worked hard, but he remained ineffective and was beaten to headers every single time. He didn't look likely to score, and on the rare occassions he did win the ball he was unable to get in a decent shot. When Butler was replaced with Henderson up front we looked slightly more likely to produce something.

Salako came on for the worn-out Tyson and Reading launched an excellent attack in the dying minutes. Of course it was Igoe that started the move with a great ball from the centre of the pitch to Salako on the left. Salako did a great job of beating his man and put in a high cross that went well past the ball to Newman on the other side who knocked it back across. The Derby goalkeeper, who had otherwise had a good game, flapped at the ball, failed to hold it and it dropped in front of Cureton who was, in typical Cureton style, in the right place at the right time to bang it home from close range. 2-0 to the Royals and some belated Christmas cheer for another excellent Madejski Stadium crowd.
Graham

Following report by John Wells
After three consecutive defeats this was an important victory for the Royals. We were kept waiting until the last minute of normal time for the thoroughly deserved winner, when the visitors young 'keeper inexplicably fumbled the ball and it dropped to Jamie Cureton. It was the sort of chance the little striker thrives on, and he sent all Reading fans home happy by smashing the ball emphatically into the net.

Pardew clearly dissatisfied with recent performances made some significant changes and got his selection absolutely right. Watson and Salako found themselves relegated to the bench replaced by Tyson and Igoe. The game burst into to life in the opening ten minutes. Igoe burst through midfield and threaded an excellent ball through to Tyson in acres of space wide on the left. Showing great composure and skill the young forward drove the ball across the 'Keeper inside the far post to end a four game goal drought. The lead was short lived. Derby were awarded a penalty when the ball was driven at Igoe from close range and the ball struck his hand. (Please note Mr Ryan - the ball struck his hand - which according to the Laws of the game is NOT a penalty.)

Reading were clearly not in in the mood to succumb to another defeat and set about regaining the lead with an enterprising first half display which produced more strikes on goal than the previous three game put together. The passing was sharp, if a little erratic, and Igoe was providing the spark in midfield that has been lacking in recent games. Injury forced Harper off mid way through the half. He hadn't made any real impact on the game although he did produce a superb delicate chip on the right wing before he was replaced by Watson. Tyson was causing problems with his pace although at time he was not quite sure how or when to release the ball. Surely that will come with experience. Cureton came close with a header and also with an effort at the near post from a Tyson cross. Igoe had a good shot saved, and Tyson had a powerful shot saved just before half time.

Reading started the second half in the same aggressive style. A great ball inside the full back from Igoe released Murty down the right. Murty cut the ball back superbly into the path of Butler who didn't really look like a player who believed he could score, and the finish was feeble. With thirteen minute to go Cureton laid the ball off to Newman on the edge of the box. Newman's strike beat the 'keeper and flew to safety off the outside of the post. Reading had dominated the half but as full time approached there was just a hint that Derby might break away and score. With time running out Cureton gave Reading the three points they deserved. They had been the better team in all departments throughout the game.

This was a very entertaining game, and there were encouraging signs apart from the obvious outstanding performance from Sammy Igoe. I was particularly impressed with some of Reading's passing around the Derby penalty area and the way Cureton, Butler and Henderson were playing with their back to goal. There seemed to be a greater awareness and movement off the ball. Brown seems to have settled in quickly and looked very solid in defence. It was also good to hear the crowd trying to lift the team midway through the second half. It was a pity a few Reading fans decided to boo Salako. If you are a real supporter you never discourage your own players - not if you want them to play better. So, no more of that please lads. Get behind your team especially on Wednesday. It is going to be a tough game which we are capable of winning, although I must admit I'd be happy with a draw.