Reading's UEFA Cup hopes and aspirations have been played down in recent weeks. Their manager has claimed that the club are not ready for European football and if they did qualify that he would field his reserve side. The fans kept hope but a UEFA Cup place is still not guaranteed after a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of bottom of the league Watford.

While Reading dominated the first half they failed to convert their chances including a botched penalty by Cedric Avinel. Watford returned from the half time interval and made the home side pay for their earlier misses. On 60 minutes Shittu slid in a Williamson free kick. Watford then went 2 goals ahead with a goal from Marlon King.

Watford will be playing in the Championship next season but they didn’t let that effect them as they boxed above their weight to give seventh place Reading who are incidentally their last season’s promotion partners a wake up call. Reading now cling to the final UEFA Cup spot in 7^th position but need to raise their game. The game was only Watford’s second away win of the season.