Reading 3-1 Tottenham

By John Sinnott

Shorey's goal changed the course of the game

Reading came from behind to secure a morale-boosting Premiership victory.

Tottenham took a deserved first-half lead with a Robbie Keane penalty after Ibrahima Sonko fouled Hossam Ghaly.

But Spurs were rocked by two goals at the end of the half as Paul Robinson was beaten by Nicky Shorey's shot and Steve Sidwell's close-range finish.

In the game's closing stages, Kevin Doyle applied the coup de grace with an angled shot before Jermain Defoe hit the woodwork with a powerful effort.

Interview: Reading manager Steve Coppell

Interview: Tottenham boss Martin Jol

This was a victory that led to perspiration proving to be mightier than panache.

Despite having lost their previous four Premiership games, Reading showed wonderful character to beat a side that for the opening 38 minutes of this match had completely outplayed them.

Sidwell typified Reading's grit, making important defensive interceptions as well as popping up to score the home side's second goal.

But Spurs, who last Sunday beat champions Chelsea, must be wondering how they managed to suffer such a heavy defeat after dominating most of the opening half.

Martin Jol's side initially attacked with plenty of verve and their adventure was rewarded as they took the lead through a penalty after Ghaly was brought down by Sonko.

606: DEBATE How can you beat Chelsea one week and then capitulate against Reading the next? SC 606: Have your say

Keane took the penalty, sidefooting the ball into the corner of the net as Marcus Hahnemann dived the wrong way.

Having failed to get a shot on target in the opening 38 minutes, Reading equalised as Shorey rectified that statistic in spectacular fashion, swerving a left-footed shot past Robinson.

And in the final minute of the half Reading went ahead, courtesy of some shambolic Spurs marking from a corner.

Sidwell took full advantage, getting ahead of Didier Zokora to prod home Glen Little's corner.

After the restart, Spurs struggled to reassert their earlier authority, prompting a grim-faced Jol to bring on Tom Huddlestone and Defoe.

With 12 minutes left, Defoe was able to find the space to get a shot on target after an intelligent run but he sent his effort into the side-netting.

Almost immediately Reading counter-attacked and Doyle beat Robinson with a left-footed shot.

Spurs' misery was further compounded when Defoe rattled the post after he turned quickly to shoot.

The win ensured Reading snatched 11th place from Spurs to leave last season's Championship winners on 16 points.

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Reading manager Steve Coppell:

"It's all about where we finish at the end, that's the be-all and end-all of our season.

"I don't want the highlight of our year to be September, October, November.

"The bottom line remains that if we retain our status in this division, it will be a far better achievement than gaining promotion last season."

Spurs manager Martin Jol:

"At half-time we wanted to put it right but you need personality and character.

"It's frustrating, you get a bit angry as well because you can do all the hard work and prepare yourself well.

"All credit to them because, apart from Arsenal, not many teams have won here but if you make those sort of mistakes you can't win any game."

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Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Little (Gunnarsson 85), Sidwell, Harper, Hunt (Oster 80), Doyle, Ki-Hyeon (Lita 75).
Subs Not Used: Federici, Bikey.

Booked: Ki-Hyeon.

Goals: Shorey 38, Sidwell 45, Doyle 79.

Tottenham: Robinson, Young-Pyo Lee (Defoe 68), King, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Zokora (Huddlestone 68), Jenas, Ghaly, Keane, Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Murphy, Ziegler.

Booked: Jenas.

Goals: Keane 24 pen.

Att: 24,110.

Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).