Reading 0 - 0 Norwich City

After the goal rush, a drought. Having hosted six and 12-goal thrillers in the past two games, the Madejski Stadium was due a goalless draw, Reading’s first of the season along with their first clean sheet.

Reading remain in the relegation zone, still searching for their first league win of the season, but this was a vast improvement by a defence that shipped 10 goals in their previous two home games.

For Norwich City, this was their third clean sheet in the past four league games and further proof that manager Chris Hughton has found the right defensive mix, with Michael Turner and Sebastian Bassong strong at the back.

“We’re a more solid unit now, and another clean sheet was a bonus for us,” said the manager.

“It was a good result, and probably a fair one. Reading might feel disappointed not to have won as the home team, but I suspect they will also be pleased with a clean sheet.”



Indeed Brian McDermott concurred: “It’s pleasing. We’ve had some disappointments this season but I can’t be disappointed today. You can’t fault the players for effort because they gave everything. I’m confident we will be OK.”

But it was not a great game, and the first half was instantly forgettable. John Ruddy had to keep out a stinging 25-yarder from Reading’s Garath McCleary in the 15th minute, but the only other threats to the Norwich keeper’s goal game from his defenders. Ruddy had to catch a back-header from midfielder Alex Tettey that was creeping under the bar, and then Turner deflected a cross from Jason Roberts into the sidenetting. Roberts cut an increasingly frustrated figure as the game wore on. More often than not Roberts ended up thumping the turf, as did his opposite number Grant Holt.

The Norwich captain had a similarly poor afternoon, finding little opportunity offered by a Reading defence which included Sean Morrison making his home league debut. The former Swindon stopper made a timely interception to prevent Wes Hoolahan profiting from Holt’s clever flick in the 25th minute after Bradley Johnson had shot over the Reading goal.

Robert Snodgrass missed an even better chance 10 minutes from the end, heading Anthony Pilkington’s cross over the bar from six yards, before Holt missed again, putting a tame header straight into the hands of Adam Federici. Tettey had a run at the Reading goal in stoppage time, but almost inevitably missed his target, which summed up the match.

Match details

Reading (4-4-2): Federici; Gunter, Morrison, Gorkss, Shorey; McCleary (Kébé 60) McAnuff, Leigertwood, Tabb; Hunt (Pogrebnyak 60) Roberts (Le Fondre 80).
Subs: Taylor, Mariappa, Robson-Kanu, Cummings.
Norwich (4-4-1-1): Ruddy; Whittaker, Turner, Bassong, Garrido; Snodgrass (E Bennett 85), Tettey, Johnson, Pilkington; Hoolahan; Holt (Morison 85).
Subs: Bunn, Howson, Jackson, Tierney, R Bennett.
Booked: Turner.
Referee: C Foy (Lancashire).