Reading are playing the way Coppell wants

Royals manager Steve Coppell could not hide his delight after Reading’s 2-0 win at in-form Sheffield United on Saturday and declared that his side played football just the way they like to.

Reading’s seventh victory in 10 games keeps them third in the Championship as they head into this weekend’s home match against Southampton.

“I thought that we played well today,” said an elated Coppell. “Especially in the first half when we played some really good football - the way we like to play. We scored two good goals at the right times.

“I thought we’d missed out after a phase of attacking football, but (Kevin) Doyle made a great run, before cutting it back for (Kalifa) Cisse who finished well with a good finish.

“Then it looked like we were getting a bit bogged down as the half wore on, until the second came just before the break.”

With a two-goal cushion at half-time, Coppell and his players knew that United would launch a fightback in the second half, but the Royals hung on to their lead, showing a resilience which impressed the boss.

“We knew we were in for an onslaught after half-time,” he said. “They changed personnel and changed formation and they threw a lot more into the box.

“With the strong, physical presence they carried in the box, they were always going to put us under pressure.

“And at the start of the half, we got a bit sloppy and some gaps started to appear as they threw numbers forward. And at times we had to defend for our lives.”

Kalifa Cisse gave Reading the lead with just five minutes gone, sidefooting home a Kevin Doyle cross.

Doyle then turned scorer himself, nodding home Stephen Hunt's free kick on 44 minutes.

Shot stopper Marcus Hahnemann pulled off a number of saves in the second half to keep a clean sheet and the American was on the receiving end of all the plaudits from Coppell.

He praised: “Marcus was at his very best today - as he has been ever since I arrived here really. He has been a terrific goalkeeper for this club and long may it continue.”

United manager Kevin Blackwell was also keen to praise Hahnemann’s performance which denied good chances from James Beattie and Billy Sharp.

He said: “In the second half we gave it a go and Marcus made a couple of great saves that helped change the game.”

Reading entertain Southampton at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday before travelling to Cardiff City on Tuesday.