Reading FC put three points on the board as goals from Charlie Savage and Sam Smith stopped Charlton Athletic’s perfect start to the League One campaign.
Savage hit a stunning opener as his fizzing shot crashed in off the post before Smith converted from an Adrian Akande cross to make sure of the points.
The win boosts Reading up to 8th place in the table having started the season with seven points from four games before the league pauses for the first international break of the season.
Ruben Selles went for an unchanged line-up from Reading’s defeat at Wrexham last week with another youthful looking bench.
New signing Chem Campbell, who joined from Wolves on deadline day, wasn’t registered in time to feature in the squad.
Reading started brightly and could have gone in front if a blue shirt in the box had gambled on a cross that was fizzed dangerously across the area from Adrian Akande.
Tyreece Campbell looked to burst clear of the Royals defence but was stopped by an excellent recovery run from Tyler Bindon.
Reading dominated proceedings for much of the half but could have found themselves trailing at the break when Charlton had the best opportunity of the match so far.
Despite their positive play, the hosts were unable to test goalkeeper Will Mannion, while Jeriel Dorsett slid in to make a crucial block at the other end to prevent Campbell’s effort.
Luke Berry hit the ball on the volley after he was teed up by Greg Docherty, but goalkeeper Joel Periera pulled off a fine stop to ensure that the visitors did not snatch the advantage.
Charlton forged some decent chances in the second-half as they regained more control.
After a shout for a handball on Mbengue, the ball came back into the box and Docherty controlled with his chest before thumping the ball over the target.
Selles responded by making a change which saw Kelvin Abrefa replaced Dorsett.
Reading broke the deadlock in the 66th minute as Charlton’s defence were breached for the first time this season.
After breaking forward, Charlie Savage strode through the midfield, saw a sight of goal and hit a stinging shot from more than 25 yards out which kissed the post on its way in.
After taking a nasty fall, Tyler Bindon had to be replaced by Harlee Dean for the final 20 minutes.
Reading then should have made it 2-0 when Akande stayed alert to rob the keeper of possession, he then tried to round the keeper to tap into an empty net, went down under the challenge of a recovering defender, but the referee waved play on despite the protests for a penalty.
Reading made sure they wouldn’t rue that missed opportunity as they doubled their lead just moments later when Smith made a darting front post run, met Akande’s cross and stoked the ball into the far corner.
The Royals now have a break to look forward to before they are next in action on Saturday, September 14 at home to Leyton Orient.
Reading: Pereira, Craig, Mbengue, Bindon, Dorsett, Wing, Savage, Elliott, Akande, Ehibhatiomhan, Smith
Subs: Boyce-Clarke, Abrefa, Dean, Wareham, Tuma, Garcia, Rushesha
Charlton Athletic: Mannion, Ramsay, Gillesphey, Mitchell, Jones, Coventry, Campbell, Berry, Ahadme, Docherty, Small
Subs: Maynard-Brewer, Anderson, Aneke, Edmonds-Green, Godden, Campbell, Kanu
Goals: Savage 66’, Smith 76’
Attendance: 14.778,
Away: 2,684
