The hype started well before this game, with the Reading manager saying that they "could do a Sandwell Town". - does that mean having a lucky run in, scrapping into the premiership by the skin of your teeth because your nearest rivals messed up, and then be the whipping boys of the division next season before returning to the muppet league in shame and struggling with debt? Not sure but I think that, although being the surprise team of the year, Reading will do a Millwall. Get promoted from the 2nd division and then challenge for a playoff place looking like a decent team, before totally screwing up in the playoffs and then spend the next 6 years languishing in the relegation zone of division 1?

This was definitely a big game. Reading had won 6 out of their last 7 and been given the manager of the month award - always a good omen (didn't DJ win manager of the month for Feb 2002???). No Ince as he was still suspended (oh, how we missed him on Sunday) and so Alex Rae made one of his few starts this season, but no other changes.

The Madejski Stadium looks like a meccano set from the 70's stuck in the middle of an industrial estate, not a good setting but could we improve on Wolves' record at Elm Park? Reading started with a 5 man midfield and a lone striker, whilst Wolves stuck with the tried and tested 4-4-2. Tyson was playing for Reading so I was hoping that he would bite off more than he could chew with Lescott!

The game started at an unbelievable frantic pace, with Reading hitting Wolves with everything from the kick off. The Wolves defence must have been shell-shocked as Reading blitzed their goal hitting the upright twice within the first minute and forcing a corner. The game settled a little after that with lots of open play and end to end stuff. Wolves first chance came on 3 mins with Blake slipping his markers before smashing the ball into the side netting, then a minute later Cameron's fierce shot was well saved. The play swung immediately back with Murray having to save well. On 15 mins Readings lone striker latched onto one of the many long balls, which caught Wolves flat footed, only for Murray to close the gap down and put off the shot. The game still hung in the balance as play swung from end to end with chances going begging. In fact if the score had been 3-3 after 30 mins (as DJ said afterwards) then it would have been a fair reflection of the play.

On 30 mins an excellent Kennedy cross (who had been put through with a well placed Blake pass) found Miller 5 yards out and clear only for him to tamely head the ball for the giant American keeper to tip over the bar, when it should have been a goal.

The game swung Wolves' way on 44 mins. Another perfect Kennedy cross was smacked towards goal by Newton, with the ball hitting the post. Both Miller and Newton stuck a toe out at the rebound and the ball ended up in the net. Reading 0 Wolves 1 Miller was given the goal but it seemed to be a joint effort! A perfect time to score and deflate Reading after all that early pressure.

Half Time Reading 0 Wolves 1

The second half started off fast again, as you would've expected, but not as fast as before. Wolves had the first chance when a ball was flicked over for Cameron, who saw the goalie race out of his box to chest the ball down (or was it handball?) and clear. Reading pushed forward, but Lescott and particularly Butler seemed to be coping well with everything after the initial 5 mins of nervousness. On 57 mins an excellent Newton cross for Blake was headed straight at the keeper, who saved it without really knowing anything about it. On 65 mins a double substitution saw Reading go to a 4-4-2 formation - testament that DJ's tactics were working. Almost immediately Reading gained a corner, from which Murray made a fantastic save - tipping the ball over the bar. The resulting corner was whipped in again, this time Alex Rae of all people heading the ball off the line. The 3rd successive corner was caught comfortably by Murray.

The game slowed somewhat, but there was still enough time for both teams to have chances - edge of your seat stuff.

The game drifted out as injuries and substitions came a-plenty as Wolves tried to break up the play and drag the game out to the end. After what seemed like 10 mins of injury time (Sunderland revisited?) the game ended with an excellent result for the boys!

If the first half was one of missed chances, the second half was one of a dominant midfield performance by Rae and Cameron - this really being where the game was won, although I don't want to take any credit away from the rest of the team. It was afterall a very solid performance and one much needed after the disappointment of Sunday and the difficult task ahead against Pompey.

As one door closed on Cardiff last weekend another one has been opened very widely last night.

Full Time Reading 0 Wolves 1