Penalties in each half from Republic of Ireland duo Shane Long and Ian Harte sent Reading on their way to a comfortable npower Championship win over Crystal Palace at the Madejski Stadium. Debutant Harte wanted to take the first spot-kick but was denied by Long, before getting his chance after the break and copying his compatriot by smashing the ball home. Jimmy Kebe then added a third in stoppage time as Brian McDermott's side looked lively throughout while Palace boss Craig Burley will be disappointed by his side's defending. Reading sold top scorer Gylfi Sigurdsson to Bundesliga side Hoffenheim on transfer deadline day for a club record fee but McDermott did hand a debut to former Leeds left-back Harte. Palace midfielder Edgar Davids was absent for personal reasons but Burley did have on-loan Everton forward James Vaughan in his side for the first time.
Source: PA
Source: PA