READING FC got back on track at home with a comfortable victory over struggling Huddersfield Town.
After a dominant first-half display they had a two-goal lead to show after Tom McIntyre’s opener was added to by a Lee Nicholls own goal.
Yakou Meite marked his substitute appearance with his first goal of the season to wrap up the points with 10 minutes to go.
Huddersfield clawed back a goal in stoppage time but there was no time to mount an unlikely comeback.
The Royals’ outstanding start to the campaign sees them in third position on 21 points from 11 games.
Paul Ince lined up with Nesta Guiness-Walker taking the place of the injured Baba Rahman. Meanwhile, Andy Carroll was selected to start to make his first start for the club since returning last month.
There was a boost on the bench with the inclusions of Ovie Ejaria and Yakou Meite to add much needed depth.
Huddersfield lined up for their first game in charge under new boss Mark Fotheringham with a team that included Danny Ward, who scored a hat-trick against the Royals last season, on the bench.
Ince switched up his system, which has been five at the back for the majority of the season, to a back four with Sam Hutchinson sitting alongside Jeff Hendrick in central midfield.
Reading had plenty of possession in the opening 25 minutes of the game with Huddersfield understandably lacking in confidence after their terrible start to the season.
Nesta Guiness-Walker tried to pick out Carroll or Joao in the middle, but goalkeeper Lee Nicholls was able to claim the cross, while Yuta Nakayama blasted a shot at goal that was held comfortably by Joe Lumley.
Reading went in front on the stroke of the half hour mark when Tom McIntyre made use of a dangerous set piece delivery from Tom Ince.
Junior Hoilett showed quick feet to beat two players and traded passes with Ince who threaded an excellent ball into the box which led to the corner.
With plenty of aerial threat to aim for in the box, it was McIntyre who jumped highest and nodded the ball into the far right corner with the ball squirming over the line after a Huddersfield defender failed to clear on the line.
Ince threatened again when he charged down the right and clipped an inviting ball into the box that evaded his teammates in the middle.
But it didn’t take long for Reading to double their advantage, adding to the score just seven minutes after the opener.
Jeff Hendrick was played in down the left and fizzed a ball into the box that was diverted into the Terriers net after the ball ricocheted off a defender and hit goalkeeper Nichols before finding the net.
Ince had another couple of sighters at goal. First when his free-kick whistled past the near post and into the side netting and next when Guiness-Walker’s quick footwork saw him glide past two players before teeing up Ince, who spooned the ball over the top.
But the Royals could be satisfied at the break having rarely been threatened and with a two-goal lead to protect going into the second 45 minutes.
Huddersfield made a switch going into the second-half which saw Duane Holmes replaced by Ward.
David Kasumu picked up an early booking for the visitors and another well worked set piece routine almost paid off for the hosts when Carroll headed the ball back across for Tom Holmes who almost found Lucas Joao to pounce from close range.
With 25 minutes left to play, Andy Yiadom was forced off with an injury and replaced by Tyrese Fornah.
Carroll was next to be subbed off after making a positive impact on his first start back at the club and was replaced by Yakou Meite for the final 20 minutes.
Ince looked to consolidate the midfield for the final 15 minutes as Mamadou Loum took the place of Joao.
Meite made his mark off the bench and added a third goal when he capitalised on some lapse defending and was able to stroke the ball into the empty net from a couple of yards out.
Huddersfield snatched a goal in stoppage time to deny Reading a clean sheet when Tom Lees headed past Lumley.
Next up is a top of the table clash against Norwich City, who are two points above Reading in second place, on Tuesday night at the SCL.
Reading: Lumley, Yiadom (c), Hutchinson, McIntyre, Holmes, Guinness-Walker, Hendrick, Hoilett, Ince, Joao, Carroll
Subs: Bouzanis, Abbey, Mbengue, Loum, Fornah, Ejaria, Meite
Huddersfield: Nichols, Turton, Russell, Thomas, Rhodes, Kasumu, Holmes, Rudoni, Lees (c), Nakayama, Helik
Subs: Bilokapic, Mbete, Hogg, Mahoney, Camara, Ward, Jackson
Goals: McIntyre 29’, Nicholls og 36’, Meite 81’
