Reading got a shot in the arm when a suicide goal from Neill Collins in the very first minute sank Wolves’ boat, and put Reading within two points of the leader. The result of the match played at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night has really thrown the championship wide open, and with Birmingham also winning their match at home, the final lag of the championship has all the ingredients to make for a great 100 meter dash.

The result has also provided go food for thought for the typically vocal fans of Wolves, who would have been really disappointed at the manner their team ran out of steam in the final stage of the match.

Mick McCarthy, the Wolves’ manager, however refused to accept that the team played poorly, claiming that apart from the goal, the match was really on with both sides playing some engaging football. Despite the assurance from the coach, the recent setback is sure to hurt Wolves’ hard, as they have all but managed a paltry three points from their past five games.

Reading needs to complemented, as they guarded their post well, and managed to hold on to the one goal advantage for the remaining part of the match. Moreover, Reading has other reasons to rejoice as their defense, despite sporting an entire new-look back four featuring 20-year-old Alex Pearce, was up to the task.

Moreover, Reading led by Steve Coppell created more realistic chances as compared their rivals and thus thoroughly deserved the win. They were more tenacious in tackle as well, consistently foiling any move by the rival flanks.

The match started on a fanatic pace, and Reading fans were left celebrating barely 58 seconds into the game. The pressure was created by Chris Armstrong, who lofted a ball into the box, catching Collins off guard. Collins in a hurry to get the ball safely out of the danger area and a fast approaching Noel Hunt, inadvertently flicked it over his own goalkeeper. He will definitely be wishing he was just playing FIFA 09 and could do that one over, unfortunately, he nothing could bring back. The tragic mistake cost the Wolves the game, but we will see if it also cost them the championship.