Reading striker Shaun Goater scored the 200th league goal of his professional
career to guide the Royals to the verge of the First Division's play-off zone.
Goater drove home a powerful header with just 60 seconds gone to reach the
impressive landmark, and after Steve Sidwell had effectively settled the match
shortly before half-time, Goater struck again to complete a thoroughly deserved
win.
The result left Reading just two points outside the top six and gave Derby an
instant reality check after their midweek win over Sheffield United.
George Burley kept faith with the line-up which beat the Blades, leaving new
signing Noel Whelan on the bench, and his side were unlucky to see Leon Osman
rattle the woodwork with the hosts 2-0 in front.
But they rarely looked like salvaging anything from the match despite Michael
Johnson's second-half goal.
The Rams suffered the worst possible start when Goater struck within two
minutes of the kick-off.
Lloyd Owusu was brought down on the edge of the box by Johnson, and Nicky
Shorey's curling free-kick allowed the unmarked Goater to beat Lee Grant with a
clinical header.
Derby responded with a long-range effort from Marcus Tudgay, which Marcus
Hahnemann held easily, and Osman then fired wide from outside the box before
Reading wasted an excellent opportunity to extend their lead.
John Salako's 17th-minute cross held up perfectly for Owusu, who timed his run
well but drove a header past Grant's left-hand post from only six yards.
And Grant was forced to keep his side in the game on the half-hour mark when
he produced a stunning save to deny Andy Hughes.
The Reading midfielder's stinging volley from a Salako delivery was heading
for the top corner before Grant tipped the ball around the post, and from the
resulting corner Owusu put a free header wide.
Johnson was booked for a foul on Owusu with half-time approaching, and
Reading's dominance told again in the 41st minute.
Sidwell was given space to run at the County defence and the midfielder took
advantage with a 20-yard strike which gave Grant no chance.
The second goal forced Burley to introduce Whelan at the break in place of
Manuel Manel, and the change almost paid off immediately.
A good build-up from the visitors gave Osman time to shoot from inside the
box, and his effort beat Hahnemann before crashing off the post.
But County were finished with 51 minutes gone when Goater struck for the
second time, the former Manchester City striker's free-kick screaming past
Grant.
Goater then came close to claiming a hat-trick when his shot was beaten away
by Grant, and though County snatched a consolation when Johnson dived to head
home Jamie Vincent's cross in the 59th minute, the points were already safe.
Teams:
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Brown, Williams, Watson (Harper 70), Hughes, Sidwell, Salako, Goater, Owusu.
Subs Not Used: Kitson, Ingimarsson, Young, Morgan.
Booked: Hughes.
Goals: Goater 2, Sidwell 41, Goater 51.
Derby: Grant, Edwards, Vincent, Johnson (Jackson 68), Mawene, Costa, Reich, Huddlestone, Osman, Tudgay, Manel (Whelan 46).
Subs Not Used: Camp, Bolder, McLeod.
Booked: Johnson, Mawene.
Goals: Johnson 59.
Att: 14,382
Ref: M Cowburn (Lancashire).
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