Jimmy Kebe and Jason Roberts found the net as Reading made it back-to-back home wins in the Championship with victory over Coventry.

Kebe opened the scoring for the hosts with a deflected lob.

Roberts then bundled the ball home from Ian Harte's corner two minutes before the break to hand the Royals a comfortable advantage.

Alex Nimely and Gary McSheffrey came close for Coventry in the second half, but Reading cantered to victory.

After a quiet start at the Madejski Stadium, Kebe marked his comeback from a knee injury with a goal after 25 minutes.

The Malian picked up a loose ball outside the penalty area, burst into the box and lobbed a deflected effort past Murphy from 15 yards.

Having struggled to make an impression in the first half, the goal energised Reading as Alex Pearce and Kaspars Gorkss came close before Roberts eventually made it 2-0.

Harte whipped in a corner from the right, Matthew Connolly nodded it on and Roberts popped up to usher the ball over the line for his second goal since arriving from Blackburn last month.

Coventry pushed for a route back into the game in the second half and Adam Federici denied on-loan Manchester City youngster Nimely, following his turn and shot from the edge of the box, before the Australian had a much easier save to make from McSheffrey's mis-hit left-footed effort.

Coventry had the better of the second half chances but were unable to convert any of them, ensuring their miserable away run drags on.

Andy Thorn's side are without a victory away from the Ricoh Arena this season.

Reading manager Brian McDermott:

"We haven't played for two weeks and we will be better for that.

"Coventry played good football and we had to try to get ourselves in the game.

"At 2-0 in the second half we looked like we were running out of steam. Our goalkeeper [Adam Federici] made some fantastic saves and that's why he is a top keeper."

Coventry boss Andy Thorn:

"Some of the saves Federici pulled off were world class. On one occasion I was already halfway down the line thinking it was a goal.

"I was pleased with the attitude of our lads. A lot of teams in our position would have come out in the second half and gone four or five down.

"Our supporters are second to none. The support they give the team and me with what's going on at the moment is phenomenal. I am really proud to manage their team."

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (6)

Reading

  • 01 Federici
  • 03 Connolly
  • 05 Pearce
  • 16 Mills
  • 17 Gorkss
  • 23 Harte
  • 04 Karacan
  • 08 Leigertwood Booked (Tabb - 87' )
  • 14 Kebe (Cywka - 76' )
  • 10 Hunt (Church - 67' )
  • 33 Roberts

Substitutes

  • 31 Andersen
  • 07 Tabb
  • 41 Cywka
  • 09 Le Fondre
  • 18 Church

Coventry

  • 01 Murphy
  • 02 Keogh
  • 15 Cranie Booked
  • 24 Wood (Clarke - 7' Booked )
  • 31 Christie Booked
  • 04 Clingan (Bell - 59' )
  • 12 Deegan (Baker - 76' )
  • 16 Norwood
  • 11 McSheffrey
  • 18 Nimely
  • 22 Platt

Substitutes

  • 13 Dunn
  • 26 Clarke
  • 07 Bell
  • 08 Baker
  • 10 Eastwood
Ref: Coote
Att: 18,006

Match Stats

Shots

8 6

On target

5 4

Corners

5 5

Fouls

11 12

Live Text Commentary

94:16 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +3:49

The assistant referee flags for offside against Jason Roberts. Joe Murphy takes the indirect free kick.

90:00 +2:41

Jason Roberts gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Richard Keogh. Indirect free kick taken by Joe Murphy.

90:00 +2:03

Tomasz Cywka challenges Jordan Clarke unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Joe Murphy.

90:00 +1:16

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Tomasz Cywka by Gary McSheffrey. Matthew Connolly takes the free kick.

90:00 +0:17

The offside flag is raised against Alex Nimely. Adam Federici takes the free kick.

88:26

Jay Tabb fouled by David Bell, the ref awards a free kick. Adam Federici restarts play with the free kick.

87:56

Corner taken by Gary McSheffrey from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Jay Tabb.

86:03 Substitution

Substitution Jay Tabb joins the action as a substitute, replacing Mikele Leigertwood.

83:36

Gary McSheffrey takes a outswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Jem Karacan.

82:24

Mikele Leigertwood takes a shot. Save by Joe Murphy.

81:39

Ian Harte takes the free kick.

81:39 Booking

Booking The referee shows Jordan Clarke a yellow card.

81:28

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jordan Clarke on Tomasz Cywka.

80:52

Gary McSheffrey has an effort at goal. Save made by Adam Federici.

78:53

Ian Harte takes a outswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, save made by Joe Murphy.

78:05

Corner taken by Ian Harte from the right by-line, Richard Keogh manages to make a clearance.

77:35

Gary McSheffrey challenges Matthew Connolly unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Matthew Connolly.

76:56

Corner taken left-footed by Gary McSheffrey from the left by-line, clearance by Alex Pearce.

76:25

Alex Nimely takes a shot. Save by Adam Federici.

75:42 Substitution

Substitution Tomasz Cywka comes on in place of Jimmy Kebe.

75:21 Substitution

Substitution Gary Deegan goes off and Carl Baker comes on.

74:52

Simon Church has a header from deep inside the six-yard box and clears the crossbar.

74:20

Foul by Gary McSheffrey on Jason Roberts, free kick awarded. Ian Harte restarts play with the free kick.

69:21

David Bell gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mikele Leigertwood. Ian Harte takes the free kick.

68:44

Gary McSheffrey crosses the ball, save made by Adam Federici.

66:54 Substitution

Substitution Noel Hunt leaves the field to be replaced by Simon Church.

66:28

Alex Nimely produces a left-footed shot from inside the area that goes over the bar.

65:39

Oliver Norwood takes the inswinging corner, save by Adam Federici.

65:16

Gary McSheffrey takes a shot. Save by Adam Federici.

64:01

Oliver Norwood takes the free kick.

64:01 Booking

Booking Booking for Mikele Leigertwood for unsporting behaviour.

63:30

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Oliver Norwood by Mikele Leigertwood.

63:08

Richard Keogh is penalised for a handball. Adam Federici takes the free kick.

62:36

Gary McSheffrey takes a inswinging corner.

61:38

Alex Nimely takes a shot. Save by Adam Federici.

60:33

Effort on goal by Jason Roberts from just inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.

60:11

The official flags Alex Nimely offside. Free kick taken by Adam Federici.

59:46

Cyrus Christie crosses the ball, clearance made by Adam Federici.

58:33 Substitution

Substitution (Coventry) makes a substitution, with David Bell coming on for Sammy Clingan.

56:49

Noel Hunt is caught offside. Joe Murphy restarts play with the free kick.

53:07

Unfair challenge on Richard Keogh by Noel Hunt results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Joe Murphy.

48:03

Martin Cranie challenges Jason Roberts unfairly and gives away a free kick. Matthew Connolly restarts play with the free kick.

46:00

Free kick awarded for a foul by Gary McSheffrey on Jimmy Kebe. Adam Federici takes the indirect free kick.

45:01

The second half kicks off.

45:00 +2:01 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to end the first period.

44:19

Mikele Leigertwood concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Deegan. Gary McSheffrey restarts play with the free kick.

42:53

Assist by Matthew Connolly.

42:53 Goal scored

Goal - Jason Roberts - Reading 2 - 0 Coventry Jason Roberts finds the net with a goal from close in to the bottom right corner of the goal. Reading 2-0 Coventry.

42:13

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Ian Harte,

40:10

Unfair challenge on Alex Nimely by Jem Karacan results in a free kick. Joe Murphy takes the indirect free kick.

39:29

The free kick is swung in left-footed by Ian Harte, Gary Deegan manages to make a clearance.

39:29 Booking

Booking Martin Cranie receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.

39:17

Martin Cranie concedes a free kick for a foul on Jimmy Kebe.

38:18

Noel Hunt takes a shot. Joe Murphy makes a save.

36:09

Unfair challenge on Alex Nimely by Kaspars Gorkss results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Richard Keogh.

31:45

Outswinging corner taken by Mikele Leigertwood from the right by-line, Noel Hunt produces a header from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.

31:13

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Ian Harte, Richard Keogh makes a clearance.

30:53

Gary McSheffrey is adjudged to have handled the ball. Free kick taken by Matthew Connolly.

29:40

A cross is delivered by Joseph Mills.

27:03

Ian Harte takes the free kick.

26:54

Ian Harte fouled by Cyrus Christie, the ref awards a free kick.

27:03

Ian Harte restarts play with the free kick.

27:03 Booking

Booking Booking for Cyrus Christie for unsporting behaviour.

26:54

Free kick awarded for a foul by Cyrus Christie on Ian Harte.

25:00

Assist by Jason Roberts.

25:00 Goal scored

Goal - Jimmy Kebe - Reading 1 - 0 Coventry Jimmy Kebe scores a goal from deep inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Reading 1-0 Coventry.

23:11

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Richard Keogh by Jason Roberts. Joe Murphy takes the indirect free kick.

22:27

Handball decision goes against Gary Deegan. Free kick taken by Adam Federici.

20:48

Clive Platt challenges Kaspars Gorkss unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Adam Federici.

19:07

Cyrus Christie sends in a cross, Adam Federici makes a comfortable save.

17:26

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jimmy Kebe by Gary McSheffrey. Free kick taken by Adam Federici.

16:47

A cross is delivered by Joseph Mills, clearance by Sammy Clingan.

15:19

Effort from the edge of the box by Gary Deegan goes wide of the left-hand upright.

14:49

Noel Hunt gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Oliver Norwood. Free kick taken by Joe Murphy.

13:45

Shot from 12 yards from Noel Hunt. Joe Murphy makes a comfortable save.

8:27

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Sammy Clingan by Mikele Leigertwood. Sammy Clingan takes the direct free kick.

6:47 Substitution

Substitution Richard Wood leaves the field to be replaced by Jordan Clarke.

1:19

Matthew Connolly gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gary McSheffrey. Sammy Clingan crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance by Noel Hunt.

1:19

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gary McSheffrey by Matthew Connolly. Free kick taken by Sammy Clingan.

0:00

The match begins.

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