ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP:REPUBLIC OF Ireland striker Shane Long overcame a bout of 'flu to fire Reading to a 4-1 home victory over an aggressive Bristol City yesterday.
The visitors had led through Jonathan Stead’s 15th-minute strike, but Jobi McAnuff levelled and Noel Hunt had Reading in front just before half-time.
Long then grabbed a second-half brace to secure the points that keep Reading seventh, now only one point off the play-off places.
City made the breakthrough when Adam Federici’s clever lob bounced back off the crossbar allowing Stead to head in.
However, Hunt ensured that the Royals went in at half-time the happier side after excellent work from Long. The Irish winger bustled his way into a gap behind Adomah and crossed for Hunt to tap into an empty net.
The Royals came out of the blocks on the restart, Long causing problems for the Robins’ defence. His persistence paid off as he took advantage of a through ball from Alex Pearce, engineered a one-on-one with David James and calmly slotted the ball into the left corner to make it 3-1 after 66 minutes.
And the victory was sewn up as the unplayable Long seized on a pass from Hal Robson-Kanu and fired his second goal past a hapless James with a minute to go.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Bullard stepped off the substitutes’ bench to fire a stoppage-time winner in his first appearance in 12 weeks as Hull heaped more misery on managerless Sheffield United, winning 3-2 at Bramall Lane.
Hull’s Kevin Kilbane had to leave the pitch with a gash on his head following a high tackle by Blades forward Ched Evans – who scored both home goals from passes from Andy Reid.
Kilbane was replaced by fellow Irishman Paul McShane.
Leaders QPR put two straight defeats behind them as they put four goals past fourth-placed Swansea at Loftus Road, with Paddy Kenny keeping a clean sheet for the hosts.
Adel Taarabt was back to his best for the home side scoring twice, while Jamie Mackie and Heidur Helguson (penalty) were also on target.
Cardiff leapfrogged Leeds into second – four points behind Rangers – as they got the better of Coventry 2-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Seyi Olofinjana gave them the lead with 21 minutes gone, before Craig Bellamy wrapped things up with seven minutes remaining.
City were able to jump ahead of Leeds thanks to United throwing away a two-goal lead as they drew 2-2 at Leicester at the Walkers Stadium. Paul Gallagher and Andy King struck late on to earn a point after Leeds had coasted into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Max Gradel and Robert Snodgrass.
Burnley came from behind to defeat Barnsley 2-1 at Oakwell while Portsmouth and Barnsley shared the points in a 1-1 draw.
