Reading’s calamitous run of form continued as they were dealt a fifth successive Championship defeat away at Queens Park Rangers.
Pressure continues to grow on manager Veljko Paunovic, with his team sinking further towards the relegation places after they were brushed aside comfortably by promotion hopefuls QPR.
Lyndon Dykes headed the hosts into a two goal lead before Luke Amos punished the Royals on the counter attack to add a third before half-time.
Jimmy Dunne rounded off the scoring early in the second-half to condemn Reading to another devastating defeat.
The Royals are still one place and two points above the drop zone, with Peterborough in action later today at home to Sheffield United.
Reading lined up with the same starting eleven from their 4-3 home defeat to Huddersfield Town, while Ovie Ejaria made a long awaited return to the matchday squad after injury and covid issues.
QPR included former Reading academy graduate Rob Dickie in their starting line-up. He made just one senior league appearance for the Royals before leaving for Oxford United.
While another academy product, Charlie Austin, who was released by Reading in 2005, was named among the substitutes by QPR in his second spell at the club.
It was a bright start from the hosts who swung in three early crosses to test the Royals defence after Baba Rahman sloppily gave away possession in his own half.
Veljko Paunovic’s team hit back in an end to end start to the contest to win a corner and they could have been punished on the break had it not been for Andy Rinomhota’s determination to win back the ball after Danny Drinkwater’s error.
George Puscas broke his way into the opposition box but was let down by a careless first touch that saw a chance go begging.
John Swift’s cross forged a chance for Lucas Joao who met the ball at the near post but was denied by goalkeeper David Marshall who parried it behind for a corner.
Reading had appeals for a penalty turned away when Josh Laurent went on a mazy run which saw him drift past three players and drive into the box. He went down under Jimmy Dunne’s tackle, but the referee pointed for a goal kick rather than a spot kick.
That proved to be a turning point in the match as Rangers broke down the other end just moments after Reading’s shout for a penalty and punished them.
Chris Willock brandished an excellently delivered cross into the box to find Lyndon Dykes unmarked in the middle and he nodded the ball past Luke Southwood from six yards.
The home side, re-invigorated by gaining the lead, looked to add a quick second when captain Stefan Johansen tried his luck from 20 yards but flashed a shot just wide of the post.
Southwood then had to come to his side’s rescue to prevent them falling further behind when he reacted quickly to keep out Dykes’ low drive from a cutback.
Having not added to his tally of eight Championship goals since October, Swift had an opportunity with a free-kick within striking distance to end his drought but missed his chance when he curled an effort over the top.
Mark Warburton’s team threatened again when Luke Amos was allowed room to shoot and smacked the base of the post, much to the relief of the Royals.
Having threatened to boost their tally throughout the half, the home side did exactly that with two quickfire goals.
QPR were rapid on the counter attack, pouncing on every mistake made by the Royals and were ruthless in front of goal.
After Puscas lost the ball on the half way line, Rangers streamed forward in numbers, Albert Adomah lifted a ball into the box and Dykes adjusted his body expertly to stoop and head the ball beyond Southwood’s reach.
Just two minutes later, QPR put themselves in a commanding position when again they ignited quickly with another electric counter attack.
After clearing the ball from Reading’s corner, the hosts were much sharper to react and Amos stormed through on goal after receiving a through ball from Willock and he clipped the ball over Southwood to add a third.
Paunovic made one switch at half-time, opting to bring on Ovie Ejaria for Puscas.
There was an early booking for each team after the restart after Rinomhota and Admoah went into the referee’s notebook.
Six minutes into the second-half, QPR picked up from where they left and scored a fourth.
Some casual defending from a corner saw Jimmy Dunne escape his marker and power a header past Southwood.
Joao thought he had clawed back a consolation goal when he powered a header towards goal from Rahman’s cross but goalkeeper Marshall pulled off a terrific save to maintain his clean sheet.
Reading managed to hold out in the final 35 minutes without conceding after the game fizzled out after QPR had the game wrapped up and the points sealed.
There is a short break before the next round of Championship fixtures when Reading travel away to face Bristol City on Wednesday, February 9 before they host Coventry City the following Saturday.
QPR: Marshall, Dickie, Dunne, Barbet, Adomah, Field, Johansen, Wallace, Willock, Dykes, Amos
Subs: Walsh, Dozzell, Austin, Odubajo, Sanderson, Thomas, Ball
Reading: Southwood, Yiadom, Holmes, Morrison (c), Rahman, Laurent, Drinkwater, Rinomhota, Swift, Puscas, Joao
Subs: Hein, Ejaria, Abrefa, Clarke, Dele-Bashiru, Camara, Ashcroft
Goals: Dykes 13’, 35’, Amos 37’, Dunne 51’
