Reading fielded a strong side tonight to defeat Peterborough United in their second round League Cup fixture at the Madejski Stadium. Brian McDermott had been expected to mix up the side and try some fringe players but instead opted to start with his first choice Premier League side. The decision was probably made after the late postponement of Saturday's game at Sunderland, and the fact that Reading have to wait until 16 September for their next League action. It meant that McCarthy and Shorey, who were expected to start, were left on the bench and failed to make appearances.

The majority of the action, and the entertainment, was in the first half when Reading took a 3-2 lead into the break. The game was 2-2 after just 19 minutes as fans, paying much reduced ticket prices, were treated to plenty of goals. Pogrebnyak (16 mins), Gunter (19 mins) and an own goal on 38 minutes were on the scoresheet for the Royals. Pogrebnyak's was an unusual goal - scored while on the floor. Gunter's was an impressive long range effort - that might have been a cross. McCleary was initially credited for Reading's third after appearing to have scored with a glancing header. Federici, widely expected to be left on the bench, will be disappointed at letting in two early goals when he might have done better. He had few further opportunities to redeem himself.

The second half was much quieter as the visitors showed little sign of getting back into the game despite their earlier efforts. Peterborough had looked dangerous in the first half, playing some of the better football, but failed to build on that in the second half. Reading, after a less than perfect first half, were comfortable in the second half with their single goal lead. Federici only needed to make one save of note, which drew applause, from a rare Peterborough attack inside the last five minutes. Down the other end Hunt, who came on off the bench, hit the bar when he might have sealed the victory.

Odd game, we looked fantastic going forward and shocking at the back first half, then everyone switched off for the next 45 mins.

Gorkss and Pearce given the complete run-a-round by Taylor (who we should definitely be looking at) yet again. Still can't seem to handle pace, which is a worry going into the Spurs game. McCleary, Guthrie and Pog once again looked head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch. Still can't believe we got all 3 on a free (lol). Karacan looked a little off the pace for my liking, and Ledge was his usual self; great getting the ball, dire using it. Gunter put in another very solid performance, Harte wasn't dreadful.

What to do about Adam Federici? Big question for McD. Looks completely shot of confidence, and we can't afford to keep him in the team while he regains it. Every point will be vital in staying up and we can't lose any more thanks to goalie errors.
winchester_royal

First of all you have to say that Posh played really well, good quick passing, closed us down in numbers and had pace. In contrast our passing and defending was woeful, every header we made seemed to go straight to them, we lost every tackle or loose ball and spent a long time just chasing them around. They just walked through our defence a couple of time, so although Feds wasn't brilliant, the back 4 in front of him didn't help. He did save a one on one and tipped decent low shot around the post.

The new guys played really well, in particular McCleary who looked a threat every time he got the ball. He linked up well with Gunter and both put plenty of decent balls to the Pog. Guthrie ran the show and was involved in most of our good moves, when we started to play. He did get a bit sloppy towards the end.

Overall it was entertaining but worrying that a full strength side looked so poor.
PieEater

Brian McDermott criticised his players for their efforts without the ball during their 3-2 win over Peterborough United in the second round of the Capital One Cup last night.

A strong Reading starting line-up, who were given game time following the weekend postponement at Sunderland, were at times outplayed by their Championship opponents during an entertaining fixture which saw four goals within the space of five first-half minutes.

They also showed naivety during spells of the game, while at other times were guilty of being sloppy.

And although McDermott’s men secured safe passage into the third round, he was far from happy with the way his players reacted when not in possession of the ball...

McDermott said: “We hit the post three times, but it was fair to say that without the ball tonight we didn’t do as well as we usually do. With the ball, at times, we were really good, especially in the first half and we had some really good play individually. Generally we are very good without the ball, but tonight we were not. But give credit to Peterborough. They have players who can handle the ball and pass it and at times they tested us.”
GetReading

Reading earned a hard-fought victory over Peterborough to book their place in the third round of the League Cup. Paul Taylor's shot put Posh ahead but Pavel Pogrebnyak equalised with a scrambled goal. Lee Tomlin's effort from a tight angle put Peterborough back in front only for Reading to again level through a Chris Gunter effort. And Nathaniel Knight-Percival then put Danny Guthrie's cross into his own net to put the Championship side out.

Clearly taking the competition seriously, Reading fielded the same side that had led at Chelsea in their last Premier League outing, but they found themselves behind when Paul Taylor fired in a shot from the edge of the box. The goal signalled the start of a frantic period of four goals in seven minutes. Pogrebnyak levelled as he managed a shot while on the ground only for Tomlin to stab in a shot and put Peterborough back in front.

The Royals were quickly level again as a cross from Gunter evaded everyone and ended up in the net and the winner was similarly scrappy as Knight-Percival could only find his own net from Guthrie's centre.
BBC Sport