Reading draw with Hammers

David Kitson earned Reading an important away point at Upton Park against West Ham on Boxing Day with a late equaliser. West Ham had earlier taken the lead through Nolberto Solano.

The Royals fully deserved the point after taking the game to West Ham in an end-to-end encounter. There were plenty of efforts on goal in a bright opening, but the game turned on the half hour when Brynjar Gunnarsson was sent off for a two-footed lunge. West Ham took the lead just before the break through Nobby Solano, but it was the second half performance of the Royals that showed grit and determination of a team down by a goal and a player.

A poor corner from James Harper was cleared only as far as Nicky Shorey who cut inside his man and swung the ball back into the box for Dave Kitson's out-stretched leg. He made contact to send the ball flying over Robert Green and into the top corner.