West Ham United turned on the style to defeat Reading by a comfortable margin of 3-0 in the Premiership match at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Matthew Etherington scored two goals in the second half after Craig Bellamy had given the Hammers an early lead as Reading slumped to its second defeat in a row after a bright start to the season. The hosts came close to scoring with Stephen Hunt hitting the bar while Kevin Doyle saw his penalty kick saved brilliantly by Robert Green 13 minutes from time.

It was attack from the kick off for Alan Curbishley's men as West Ham stormed to the lead in the 6th minute with Bellamy racing to meet Lee Bowyer's through ball before driving a crisp shot past Marcus Hahnemann and into the net.

West Ham were content to sit back and soak up the pressure from Reading and launching counterattacks. One such move found Etherington racing down the pitch before squaring the ball to Mark Noble but the midfielder only managed to shoot high over the bar.

Reading nearly equalized in the 43rd minute when Stephen Hunt was played in by Doyle but the defender could only hit the crossbar before the ball bounced out. The Hammers came out attacking in the second half and doubled the lead in the 49th minute in a swift counterattack move that saw Etherington play a delightful one-two with Bellamy before smashing the ball into the net.

Reading had a great chance to come back in the game with 13 minutes left when Green fouled Dave Kitson in the penalty box. However the keeper redeemed himself by pulling a great save to deny Doyle from the spot. Green was pressed into service again when substitute Kalifa Cisse nearly got one back for the hosts but was denied by yet another brilliant save by Green.

West Ham finally put the game beyond Reading late in injury time when Etherington reached Carlton Cole's pass before slotting the ball past Hahnemann to score his second for the night.