From the games I've been fortunate to see this season today's Reading line-up looked somewhat makeshift. That taken into consideration it was a good performance. The first five minutes or so set the scene, misplaced passes from both sides. thought Pompey's finishing was lamentable. There was a glasslike feel to the side without Liegertwood (sp.). Kebe frustrated/delighted in disproportionate fashion. Howard the same. Long again showed a strength and determination fully meriting his goal tally. Nicely taken penalty, stylish and pragmatic. Great shot for the first also, seemed that Ashdown might have been tardy getting to it, perhaps, although couldn't be too sure. Bryn played well after a shaky spell, him and Ingimarsson are consummate professionals. I thought 'small body massive head' Tabb played a good game, tenacious in the tackle and always looking around him. Increasingly pleased with the young keeper, he's growing in confidence and that spreads in turn to the defence. Not in a rush to see Federici back, tbf. We lacked fluidity at times, but when it did surface, we looked streets ahead of Portsmouth. All in all a good piece of work. Did the dirty in the first half, and policed them in the second with little collateral damage.
Ian Herring

Delighted to finally see us beat Portsmouth. They have been a bit of a bogey team for us in the past. We werent at our fluent best and the result could have been different, but we ground out the result just like good teams who play badly often do. Long was yet again at his imperious best and one wonders how much we will get for him in the summer. We just all have to pray that he stays fit. Does anyone know where Leigertwood is? I presume injury but I feel we miss a cutting edge in midfield without him. Tabb is his busy, energetic self as always, however Karacan frustrates me as a player. When on the ball he does the simple things well, however he was anonymous second half when pompey were threatening. McCarthy was decent. He is still making silly mistakes. He made a good save from kitson however it was from his own mistake by spilling a routine shot, and second half completely missed a cross. Plus worst kicker of a football since andy hughes. Everyone was decent I felt. Long of course MOTM. Gunnar somehow gets away with it, but feel we should play griffin on tuesday. Worst game ive ever seen from Mcanuff. Constantly lost the ball/looked disinterested. Always took the wrong option. Feel Manset deserved to play instead of Church. Good run by Kebe for our first aswell. Roll on tuesday.
Carlos

Reading lifted themselves into the Championship play-off places as Shane Long scored twice in their win over 10-man Portsmouth. Royals keeper Alex McCarthy saved from David Nugent and Dave Kitson before Long powered in a shot. Ricardo Rocha was red carded for a foul on Long, who slotted in the resultant penalty for his 51st Royals goal. Brian Howard had a shot ruled out for handball for Reading, who survived a goalmouth scramble late on. Portsmouth will be left to rue their failure to take their early chances as well as Rocha's dismissal.

Former Royals forward Kitson headed wide from a Liam Lawrence cross during a lively opening. Nugent beat the Royals offside trap and was through on goal only to have his low shot saved by England under-21 international McCarthy. Kitson latched on to the loose ball but was denied when the Royals keeper tipped over his follow-up effort.

Long punished Pompey moments later as he finished off a Reading counter-attack. A visitors' corner was headed clear for Jimmy Kebe to burst away down the left wing and he cut inside before picking out Jem Karacan, who in turn played in Long to drive in a shot. A chipped Howard ball over the top released Long and the Reading striker was hauled down by Rocha. The Pompey defender was sent off and Long picked himself up to slot in from the spot to make it nine goals in his past nine league games. The visitors valiantly continued to attempt to get back into the game and Kitson had another chance but sent a header high as Reading held on for the win.
BBC Sport