Tottenham 1 (Keane 41 (pen))
Reading 0
A highly debatable penalty decision by referee Alan Wiley gave Tottenham a very narrow 1-0 win over our never-say-die Royals today.
A bouncing ball hit debutant Greg Halford on the forearm just inside the area, and it very much looked to be a case of ball to hand, but Wiley saw things differently, allowing Robbie Keane to stroke home from the spot.
The decision and the result were harsh on Reading, who had performed admirably.
Tottenham had plenty of chances to extend their lead, and they will argue they deserved to win the game, but the penalty unquestionally shifted the balance of the match in their favour.
Reading hit the post through Leroy Lita when the score was 0-0, and they had three penalty shouts of their own The first came when Michael Dawson seemed to have his hands all over Lita, and then the ball hit both Dawson and Didier Zokora on the arm inside the box.
Marcus Hahnemann was in top form before succumbing to a hip injury at half time, and his replacement Adam Federici was equally as impressive.
Spurs had two goals disallowed for offside in the second half, and Jermain Defoe missed an absolute sitter.
Reading found it hard to create a clear chance as they pushed for an equaliser, but they were hard done by and their efforts warranted more.
Tottenham (4-4-2): Robinson; Chimbonda, Young-Pyo, Dawson, Rocha; Jenas, Zokora, Lennon, Malbranque (Huddlestone 80); Berbatov, Keane (Defoe 75)
Subs: Cerny, Stalteri, Taarabt
Yellow: Rocha
Reading (4-4-2): Hahnemann (Federici HT); Halford, Shorey, Duberry, Ingimarsson; Harper, Sidwell, Little (Oster 74), Hunt (Doyle 64); Kitson, Lita
Subs: Bikey, Gunnarsson
Attendance: 36,067
Full report
Spurs created two great chances in the opening minutes, first when Dimitar Berbatov had acres of space down the left, only to be denied by Marcus Hahnemann.
Hahnemann then made another excellent save to deny Robbie Keane, but the Irishman will feel he should have given him no chance with the great opportunity from Berbatov's knockdown.
The big American was then out smartly to deny Berbatov again, and Steed Malbranque's shot hit the outside of the post.
After weathering that intial storm, Reading began to find their feet.
Glen Little's sumptuous turn and cross gave Leroy Lita a glorious chance, but he headed it onto the post. The rebound looked destined to find a Reading player, but it went agonisingly behind the onrushing Dave Kitson and Steve Sidwell.
Reading had settled into the game nicely at this point, and were enjoying good possession, with Greg Halford looking comfortable on his full debut.
A scramble in the area resulted in a good chance for Kitson, and he caught it brilliantly, but it was too close to Paul Robinson and the keeper saved.
Then a brilliant Royals move down the left culminated in a shooting chance for Sidwell, but Didier Zokora made an excellent block.
Hahnemann was again called into action when saving a Malbranque volley, and Nicky Shorey put in a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny Keane a great sight of goal.
Five minutes before the break ref Alan Wiley made a penalty decision that was hugely debatable. A left wing throw-in found Keane just outside the box, and he allowed to bounce and run inside the area.
It bounced up between Keane and the retreating Halford, and hit our right back on the arm. It very much looked a case of ball to hand, but Wiley, who was very close by, pointed to the spot, much to Reading's derision.
Keane stepped up and although Hahnemann went the right way it nestled in the net for 1-0. Regardless of anyone's view on the award of the penalty, there is no doubting that Reading had more than matched Spurs and in terms of play the hosts were lucky to be ahead.
Hahnemann had to make another save before the break, and at half-time he succumbed to a hip injury, being replaced by Adam Federici. The American had made some brilliant saves, and considering he was carrying an injury his performance was all the more remarkable.
Second half
Reading had a very good penalty shout at the start of the second half when Michael Dawson clearly had his hands on Lita, but nothing was given.
Our travelling fans voiced their opinion that Wiley was favouring the home side at this point, and there were more howls from our supporters when Stephen Hunt looked to be clear in on goal, but play was pulled back for a foul in Reading's favour some ten yards further out.
Reading had another penalty shout when the ball certainly hit Dawson inside the box, and Wiley had a good view but gave nothing.
Both sides were looking to score, and it made for a very entertaining and open game. Sidwell looked to have a clear chance from a corner, but he was just shouldered off it at the last.
Keane had a goal disallowed for offside, and Spurs were regularly breaking in numbers, but they found Federici in top form.
The Australian made a series of saves, including one amazing stop from Berbatov up toward the top corner that he not only kept out but also held in superb fashion.
Lita headed a very good chance wide from a corner, and Spurs sub Jermain Defoe missed an absolute sitter, as well as being denied by Federici moments earlier.
The England striker had a goal disallowed for offside, and it was perhaps harsh on him as the flag was against Berbatov. The Bulgarian had not touched it, but he was interfering with play as he let it run for his strike partner.
Reading were not getting any breaks in the final third, and the best example was when Kitson closed down a poor clearance, and it span inches in front of Lita, when if it had dropped for the former Bristol City man it would have been a great chance.
Spurs had plenty of opportunities in the second half, but that was inevitable as Reading pushed for a goal.
The hosts had far more chances, but Reading were very resilient, and the penalty decision shifted the game against Steve Coppell's side.
