And finally, spare a thought for Joe Finegan. He wanted six goals and I gave him them. But none for Pogrebnyak or Rodallega
I'm going to go for a lie down after that and bathe my fingertips in iced water. If you've enjoyed the coverage, please give me a follow on Twitter @danielstorey85
It's finished at the Madejski. An unbelievable second half ends with the spoils shared. Who knows who will be the happier with that?!
90+3
CHANCEs!!! How close were Reading there. Fabulous save from Mark Schwarzer from a Reading header. From the corner, Jason Roberts should equalise but flicks it wide.
90+2
Another free kick for Reading. They couldn't, could they?
90+2
I told you this would be a classic. So take that, doubters
90+1
Five goals in 40 minutes. And my keyboard is on fire!
90+1
It really is a horrible goal, but will Reading fans care? No, is the predictable answer
90 EQUALISER!!! This is getting silly now. Hal Robson Kanu bundles the ball home from the resultant free kick.
90
Free kick on the edge of the box as Mariappa is fouled. One more chance for Reading?
88
That's what you pay the big bucks for. Berbatov has been quiet for most of this afternoon, but turns up just when it matters. How many times can we say it, Reading architects of their own downfall.
87 GOAL FOR FULHAM!!! And that's a wonderful finish from the Bulgarian Berbatov.
86
Adam Le Fondre takes the ball down to swivel and shoot. It's easily saved, but really good technique from the striker
85
Reading don't really deserve that after their second half showing, but they are back on level terms. Anyones game now...
84 GOAL FOR READING!!! It's an equaliser from Garath McLeary, and Jason Roberts is lucky to have miscontrolled the ball, allowing it to roll to the ex-Nottingham Forest winger
82
Reading are finally pressing this game, but have paid the price for not doing so early enough in this half
80
Substitutions everywhere! And now Reading really need to give it a real go. For McDermott, he must surely be worried?
79 Hal Robson Kanu is on for Jimmy Kebe
79 The injured Baird will be replaced by Steve Sidwell
78
Chris Baird has injured himself celebrating his goal, slipping into the advertising hoardings. Clever stuff
78 Adam Le Fondre is on for Reading
77 Goal!! Fulham have the lead, and it is two goals in two games for Chris Baird, heading in Riise's corner. It. Was. Coming.
76
I'm informed that it is Dejagah with a 'h'. Thanks to @Minimerch97 for the info
76 We have our second yellow card, Reading's Cummings receiving it
75
Strike from Jimmy Kebe for Reading, and Schwarzer goes down smartly to save
74 The first booking of the match, Chris Baird cynically bringing down Jobi McAnuff
73
Reading just cannot get out of their own half as Fulham continue to pile forward. The game is being played outside the Reading box
71
It's snowing at the Madejski, you may or may not be interested to know
70
There only looks to be one winner at the Madejski in the alst twenty minutes, as Fulham win another corner. Ruiz has changed the game here
68 Reading's first change, Jay Tabb replaced by Garath McLeary
68
For those unaware, Dejaga is an Iranian international, and this is his second appaearance for Fulham
66 Dejaga on for Damien Duff for Fulham. Another inspired substitution?
66
Berbatov fires just wide. It is quite superb from the Bulgarian, who fails to give up on a lost cause and almost batters his way through.
65
Reading struggling to get a hold in the game.They need to keep the ball for a moment. Big five minutes
64
Once again Reading have thrown away a lead. They really have to respond now.
63
Suddenly it is all Fulham, incessant pressure
62
That's a fantastic finish. I haven't been imrpessed with Ruiz thus far in England, but that is some hit
61 WHAT A GOAL. And you thought Reading's goal was good? Bryan Ruiz smashes the ball into the goal off the underside of the bar from a Damien Duff pass.
59
A lovely cross from Damien Duff, but it goes beyound Bryan Ruiz. Better artistry from Fulham, however.
58
I wouldn't say Berbatov and Ruiz was a 'natural' partnership?
57 Fulham make the first substitution, Bryan Ruiz coming on for Hugo Rodallega. The Colombian had been ineffective.
56
Brilliant from Jason Roberts. He beats Hangeland, and his shot rebounds back off the striker and is going into the net until a defender hacks over.
55
Chance for Reading. Cross from the right from Cummings, and it appears to be heading from Pogrebnyak's head, but Schwarzer just puts off the Russian, and he heads wide.
53
Fulham really need to start quickening this game up, or the minutes will soon tick by. Rodallega is dropping deep to pick up the ball, but they look devoid of ideas somewhat
51
Reading are more than happy to slow the ball down when in possession. This may be a 'war of attrition' of a half.
50
You can tell the game is in a lull when individual voices from the crowd can be heard
49
Riise strikes in customary style, and the ball takes a nick off the wall and goes for a corner
48
Now Fulham has a free kick as Leigertwood bundles into Berbatov. That will not help the Bulgarian's back
47
Reading start on the front foot at the start of the half, and Fulham cannot allow this to happen for long
46
Jason Roberts is very clever at winning free kicks, backing in to defenders but getting the decisions
The teams are back out here, and we await the start of the second half. Can Reading hang on for their first win of the season? Or can Berbatov et al drag Fulham back into the game.
I'll be back with more at the start of the second half, and get in touch with me. Is my 1-1 prediction going to be right? @danielstorey85
The corner is cleared and we have half time. Mikele Leigertwood with his first Premier League goal in seven years, and what a strike it was. Fulham probably slightly unfortunate to be behind, but Pogrebnyak did also miss a guilt-edged headed chance early on
45+1
Corner for Reading as a great tackle from Hangeland on Roberts forces the ball behind
45
As we move into injury time in the first half, another cross goes out of play. One minute added time
43
Damien Duff strikes first time from a Richardson cross, but hits the ball against his standing foot and it goes wide
41
Chris Baird may have scored last week, but his shooting from 25 yards is not strictly his forte, firing miles over from outside the area
40
The final ball in this game from both sides, particularly cross, has been awful. Really bugs me that professional players can't get it right
39
Fulham are pressing now, with five minutes until half time. Their final ball is letting them down however, crosses blocked and passes not finding their man
37
Replays show that Rodallega let the ball hit his should rather than his head. A really weak effort.
36
At the other end Rodallega has a header on goal and he should score, but gets very little power on the header and it is saved by Alex McCarthy
35
A header on goal from Jay tabb (the smallest man on the field), but it is predictably week and easily saved by Schwarzer.
34
Jobi McAnuff wins another corner off Riether. Another poor delivery
33
Diarra needs to work on his shooting. From a similar position to Leigertwood he blasts over after a Berbatov layoff
31
Dimitar Berbatov is holding his back and is receiving treatment as the game continues
30
Pogrebnyak hits the free kick, but pulls it wide trying to hit the ball too hard.
29
Free kick for Reading right on the edge of the box. It's a very soft one from Mike Jones.
28
Jason Roberts flagged offside, but Reading are suddenly on fire, piling forward. What a difference a goal makes.
27
So we have a goal. Against the run of play, but a wonderfully vreated and finished goal. What the game needed.
25
Unstoppable effort from Leigertwood. Where the spiders live, as they say. Right in the top corner from outside the area
24 GOAL FOR READING!!! Fantastic finish by Leigertwood as McAnuff lays the ball of to him. He strikes it into the top corner
23
Diarra strikes the ball beautifully from about forty yards. It goes high and wide, but still raises an 'ooooh' from the crowd and me
22
And another...
22
Corner for Fulham, as Berbatov feeds Riise, whose cross is blocked.
21
Chance for Fulham! Although actually the offside flag was up, Rodallega heads straight at the Reading goalkeeper. A bit of excitement however.
20
Sorry if that isn't the most exciting update, but the game has gone into something of a lull. Can I say we ned a goal yet?
19
Sad to say that my effect has changed the weather. It is pouring down with rain, and I'd wager it can't be far from snow.
18
Fulham are now back in control of the game. Little threat but certainly controlling possession
16
Wonderful cross from Nicky Shorey, and Brede Hangeland forced to head behind. Second poor delivery out of two, and easily cleared. That annoys me!
15
Chance for Dimitar Berbatov. It's well over in the end but follows a wonderful Fulham passing move. His strike from 25 yards does not trouble McCarthy
13
Fulham taking the opportunity to get some time on the ball, passing the ball around the back.
12
Fulham are too sloppy in their attacking third, and Reading have begun to dominate. Watch the West Londoners on the break though.
11
Jobi McAnuff wins a corner on the left wing, and will presumably aim for the Pog? He hits the first man, frustrating.
10
Goodness me, I've found out that Brian McDermott used to play for Fulham on loan. This is a proper derby!
10
Reading are on top now, and two crosses are cut out by Fulham headers. Promising signs for Brian McDermott though.
9
Dimitar Berbatov is loving this game, because there is so much time on the ball. He can simply slouch around lazily and spray the ball
7
Important time to point out that this is also the Nicky Shorey derby
6
The more you look at that chance, the easier it gets. A bad miss from the Russian.
6
CHANCE!! Reading break from the corner and Pogrebyak should open the scoring. Four yards out and somehow manages to head wide
5
Our first corner, Nicky Shorey heading behind from a Richardson cross
4
Reading are establishing themselves in the game, but it's al very slow-paced in the middle of the park.
3
Fulham could be fourth tongiht if they win, which seems amazing. The game is quiet so far, however
2
Jason Roberts looking to get into the action early on for Reading. Good to see him playing after a busy couple of weeks
1
Fulham immediately comfortable on the ball, passing it around nicely
Off we go at the Madejski...
Prior to kick off, Joe Finegan has gone all selfish on us: "The focal point of my #fantasyfootball team today is The Pog & The Rod... #Reading v #Fulham #hattricksallroundplease " I'll do my best Joe, I really will.
The teams are out at the Madejski. The first meeting between the two teams since 2008, a season when Fulham survived on the final day at Reading's expense
Quick fact - this is Reading's first home league game for 28 days. Let's hope it was worth the wait
Back with the football, and nice to see Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell get a round of applause from Reading fans. He starts on the bench this afternoon, however
Reading fan James Christmas explains the wolf song: "We don't really have an anthem but there is a very enthusiastic drummer in the corner. We also have a variation of the Duck Sauce song 'The Big Bad Wolf' so you might hear some howling from the home fans!".....So now I know
There's now a song playing with Wolves howling over some sort of grunge backing track. I'm providing you with the full picture this afternoon.
Andy Williams' The Impossible Dream pumping out at the Madejski. Is this some sort of tradition, or just the oddest choice I've heard this season? Let me know at @danielstorey85
Reading (19/10) are desperate to end a barren run at the Madejski Stadium with a much needed victory over Fulham (7/5). The Royals have won none of their last six Premier League games and many punters think that run will be extended today and are backing a draw. Pavel Pogrebnyak has scored six goals from seven shots on target for the home team and is 6/1 to open the scoring the same price as Fulham's Dimitar Berbatov.
Reading seem to have given away Waitrose sponsored crowns to all the children entering the ground. We have a lovely band of middle-class kings on show.
One thing in the home side's favour is that Fulham have been perennially poor away from home in the Premier League, and have conceded nine goals in four away games this season.
Eagle eyes will note that I opted for Mladen Petric to be first scorer. He's on the bench, so cracking start. Better change that guess to the big Bulgarian!
I actually think we might have a decent game this afternoon. McDermott's comments have indicated that his side will need to push for the win, and Fulham have become an attractive side under Martin Jol. And of course there's Berba...
Keep those thoughts coming in to @danielstorey85 and I'll be eternally grateful.
"What more can we do? That's it as far as I'm concerned."
Despite Reading's in auspicious start, manager Brian McDermott is not phased by the pressure, and has this week spoke out against critics...
What's that I hear, you want my prediction? Ok, well why not.... Fulham to score first, probably Petric. Reading come back in the second half and Pogrebnyak scores an equaliser after about 71 minutes. Just call me Storeydamus.
Gabriel Sutton has got in touch via Twitter: 1-1. Reading need the win + have home advantage but Fulham can score with Berbatov in their side.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Riether, Hangeland, Hughes, Riise, Richardson, Diarra, Duff, Berbatov, Rodallega Subs: Stockdale, Senderos, Karagounis, Sidwell, Ruiz, Petric, Dejagah
Reading: McCarthy, Cummings, Shorey, Gorkss, Mariappa, Leigertwood, Tabb, Kebe, McAnuff, Pogrebnyak, Roberts Subs: Federici, Gunter, Pearce, McCleary, Robson-Kanu, Hunt, Le Fondre
The teams are in...
Before I carry on, I must ask you to get in touch with me with your thoughts, predictions and views. Even give me a follow, you lovely lot. Daniel Storey @danielstorey85
What is fairly clear is that Reading need to start winning games if they are to avoid becoming embroiled in a Premier League relegation battle.
This is what everyone (me) is referring to as the Pogrebnyak/Sidwell derby
Good afternoon and welcome to our commentary from the Madejski Stadium as Reading host Fulham.
