READING FC made it successive Championship wins for the first time this season with a superb 4-2 victory at Derby County.

Jaap Stam's men put on one of their best displays of the campaign so far to return from Pride Park with three richly-deserved points.

Around 750 Royals fans among a crowd of nearly 26,000 lapped up the atmosphere after watching their side pull further clear of the relegation zone and closer to the play-offs.

Derby may have won their four previous Championship games, but they were sliced apart by rampant Royals in the opening exchanges.

Reading Chronicle:

Chris Gunter punches the air in delight at the final whistle. Pictures: Jason Dawson/jasonpix.

Stam's men raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 13 minutes and never looked back.

Liam Moore, head bandaged following a nasty collision with Tiago Ilori in a recent game against Middlesbrough, nodded Royals in front after Paul McShane had flicked on a John Swift free-kick.

Then soon after Sone Aluko jinked past two Rams defenders before firing into the corner to make it 2-0 with his second goal in as many games.

Roy Beerens put Stam's men 3-0 up in the 54th minute when he punished a poor Curtis Davies back-pass.

Gary Rowett's Rams pulled one back 12 minutes from time through Johnny Russell.

But Royals winger Mo Barrow made it 4-1 in the 90th minute, rendering Chris Martin's injury-time effort a mere consolation.

Reading goalkeeper Vito Mannone took to social media to reflect on a 'Big, big win' for Stam's side, while midfielder Dave Edwards called it a 'terrific team performance'.


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Sone Aluko fires past Derby keeper Scott Carson to put Royals 2-0 up at Pride Park.

Reading have now won back-to-back matches in the Championship following their home win over Nottingham Forest before their success at Derby.

And Stam stressed thorough homework was the key to winning at Pride Park.

The Dutchman said: "We know how well Derby have been playing in the last few games and everyone knows they were the team in form going into the weekend. They had a very good run, unbeaten in the league six I think.

"But we studied them, as we do every team, and we saw opportunities that, if we did well, we could take advantage of and make it difficult for them.

"We succeeded in doing that."

Reading Chronicle:

Reading boss Jaap Stam gives out orders at Pride Park.