Promoted West Bromwich Albion all but conceded the First Division championship
to leaders Norwich as they slipped to defeat at Reading courtesy of Steve
Sidwell's strike just two minutes from time.
The Royals midfielder drilled home a right-footed in the bottom left-hand
corner from 25 yards out to condemn the Baggies to defeat and boost his own
side's faint hopes of gatecrashing the top six.
Gary Megson's side will now require a remarkable turnaround in fortune if they
are to rescue the top prize from the Canaries next Sunday.
With two games now remaining, the Baggies lie five points behind Norwich,
which will surely ensure the title heads to East Anglia and not The Hawthorns.
Indeed, the Baggies were punished for their insipid display as the Royals
began the brighter of the two sides at the Madjeski Stadium.
John Salako's dangerous cross in the first minute forced Russell Hoult to
punch clear, which served as an early warning sign for the visitors.
Just seconds later, Shaun Goater's audacious overhead kick right-footed from
the edge of the box was easily dealt with the Baggies keeper.
Albion striker Lee Hughes then fired a right-footed effort wide when well
placed wide before the Baggies' Ricky Newman and the Royals' James Chambers were
booked in separate incidents for unsporting behaviour.
But after a balanced opening period, it was the home side who began to
dominate.
Indeed, with James Harper orchestrating the play from the heart of the Royals'
midfield, it was almost impossible to distinguish which of the sides will be
playing Premiership football next season.
Harper's intricate probings against an Albion midfield bereft of key duo Andy
Johnson and Jason Koumas - rested and suspended respectively - became an
increasingly telling factor.
However, neither Goater nor his strike partner Dave Kitson could benefit,
while the Baggies' James O'Connor was booked - also for unsporting behaviour -
just minutes before the interval as frustrations grew within both camps.
The malaise of the opening period saw both managers make changes at half-time,
with Dean Gordon replacing John Salako on the Royals' left-flank, while Scott
Dobie replaced the ineffectual Geoff Horsfield up front for the Baggies.
The home side began to press home and Kitson drilled a diagonal right-footed
effort wide from the right side of the 18-yard box, which forced Hoult to tip
the ball over and make a fantastic save.
It was a fierce effort from the Royals striker, who prior to the match had hit
out at the club and supporters for organising a "ginger day" tribute for the
fixture against the Baggies.
Fans had planned to wear ginger wigs and orange t-shirts as a tribute to
flame-haired Kitson and his ginger-haired team-mate and goalscorer Sidwell.
Inspired, frustrated or angry, it was the two ginger-headed players who began
to emerge as key figures for the home side, as the threat of Hughes for the
visitors was all but nullified.
The Baggies striker was duly replaced after 53 minutes by Artim Sakiri as
Megson went in search of a formula to break the home rearguard.
None was forthcoming, however, and with just two minutes remaining, Sidwell's
strike proved decisive.
Teams
Reading Ashdown, Murty, Williams, Newman, Hughes,
Savage (Morgan 65), Sidwell, Harper, Salako (Gordon 45),
Kitson, Goater (Brooker 65).
Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Owusu.
Booked: Newman, Kitson.
Goals: Sidwell 88.
West Brom Hoult, Chambers, Gaardsoe, Moore, Gregan,
Robinson (Clement 60), O'Connor, Kinsella, Dyer,
Hughes (Sakiri 53), Horsfield (Dobie 45).
Subs Not Used: Murphy, Haas.
Booked: Chambers, O'Connor, Moore.
Att: 20,619
Ref: C Penton (Sussex).
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