Coventry City 3-2 Reading: Sky Blues end Royals’ unbeaten Championship start

Leaders Reading fell to their first Championship defeat of the season as Coventry picked up their first league victory in seven attempts at St Andrew’s.

Portugal forward Joao held off a home defender to steer home a fine Reading leveller from 20 yards, but the Sky Blues went ahead again when Matt Godden pounced on a rebound moments after strike partner Max Biamou hit the bar with a golden chance inside the six-yard box.

Coventry extended their advantage with Sam McCallum’s 30-yard strike – which beat an uncertain-looking Rafael in the Reading goal – and Veljko Paunovic’s side left empty-handed despite George Puscas netting in stoppage time.

Reading’s lead at the top will be cut to three points if unbeaten Bournemouth win at home to Derby on Saturday, while Coventry are out of the relegation zone and up to 17th.

The visitors had the better openings before falling behind, Fankaty Dabo’s loose pass across his own box just out of reach of Royals’ forward Sone Aluko, while Joao took a loose touch when bearing down on goal as his effort was smothered by Marko Marosi.

Midfielder Hamer’s slick strike was Coventry’s only shot on target in the first half, going through the legs of Reading defender Liam Moore on its way in.

After Joao scored for the fourth game running Mark Robins’ hosts took charge, Biamou not able to keep a close-range shot down when it looked easier to score before Godden reacted fastest when Rafael parried Dabo’s low strike to pick his spot.

Rafael was arguably at fault for Coventry’s third – a speculative effort that perhaps moved through the air from McCallum, who had only come on minutes earlier.

Reading had the final say but Puscas’ finish from Joao’s overhit touch proved to be no more than a consolation, as they lost to the Sky Blues for the first time in 11 league meetings.

Coventry boss Mark Robins told BBC CWR:

“I think we’ve dealt with them pretty well and it was really important to get the three points for confidence.

“To win it the way we did, playing in the manner that we did, I thought was really good.

“We showed brilliant endeavour, commitment and some really good football was played – all three goals were outstanding.”

Reading manager Veljko Paunovic told BBC Radio Berkshire:

“We never like losing and I think we had a good game, to be honest.

“We threatened, had the ball possession and created good half-opportunities but we just missed being a little more clinical.

“We felt good and comfortable in the first 45 minutes, thinking that we’re going to win this game playing so well, but if you don’t convert you have to think they’ll at some point have their chance and they did.”