Not a great match, but a vital win for Reading. West Ham were frustratingly lacklustre, but Brian McDermott will care not one jot. I hope that you have enjoyed the coverage, and give me follow on the Twitter machine @danielstorey85
90+4
Move into the last minute, the ball kept in the corner.
90+2
West Ham just can't get the ball forward in the last moments here
90+1
More reaction from O'Brien, as the game moves into four minutes of injury time
90
Robson-Kanu does well to earn his side a corner, which his side wll take no rush in taking
88
That sums up West Ham's afternoon. Collison overuns the ball and it dribbles out for a goal kick.
87
Noel Hunt does well to earn a free kick, and Reading are doing nothing but keep the ball in the corner now
86
A promising breakaway is ruined by poor decision-making from Karacan. Must get his head up there
86
That really was a poor miss from Vaz Te. West Ham won't get a better chance
85
Reading win their first corner of the match, and it is overhit
84
Vaz Te is completely unmarked, and somehow heads wide from three yards. A dreadful miss
83
Great work from Cole to hold the ball up and get a free kick
82 As Reading break, Nolan brings down Robson-Kanu and gets the seventh booking of the game. Nolan will now be suspended for the game against Norwich
81
After a cross from Vaz Te, fantastic defending from Gunter to stop Maiga scoring.
80 Noble replaced by Maiga
79 Finally Reading get out of defence and enjoy some possession in the West Ham half, it is ended with a loose challenge by Harte, who is booked
78
Reading are very much in shutdown mode, all players back to defend and looking to take time over set pieces. Can't really blame them too much
76 Kebe is replaced, often frustrating today. He is replaced by Robson-Kanu
75
Noble again with the delivery, and Sam Allardyce will be so frustrated. Surely his side practice that all day long?
74
Once again the delivery hits the first man
73
You can sense the nerves at the Madejski, as West Ham earn a series of free kicks out wide. Brian McDermott is pacing up and down
71
Again the final ball is not good enough, and Noble wastes a good period of pressure for West Ham with a loose cross. How many times has that happened today?
68
This game really has needle. Now O'Brien receives a stern lecture for his reaction to Kebe
James Tomkins was also shown a yellow card for dissent
67 Vaz Te on for West Ham
67
Reading hit the bar! It's a fantastic effort from Karacan which hits the underside of the bar. From the rebound, Kebe fires over. Much better from the hosts
66 Noel Hunt comes on for Guthrie. What has Adam Le Fondre done wrong?
66
First real chance of the half for West Ham, and Jack Collison fires low, forcing Federici to save. The Hammers are definitely on top now
64
What we have lacked in genuine quality, we have had in feistiness. A lack of Christmas cheer
63
I'd say unintentional, as a guessing man
63
Carlton Cole has gone through on Chris Gunter, but the referee lets it go. Cole stood on Gunter, but only he will know if it is intentional
61
From the free kick (inevitably launched into the box) a West Ham player is penalised for pushing
61 Pearce booked for an aerial challenge on Nolan. There was a slight leading arm
60
Karacan breaks forward for Reading, but again the final ball is just not quality enpugh to be threatening
58
The Russian caught Reid, but it was little more than an accidental stray arm.
57
Carlton Cole reacts to a challenge, but it's pretty much just handbags. Then Reid goes down under a foul from Pogrebnyak
55 Collison is on for West Ham in place of Matt Taylor
55
Chance for Carlton Cole. West ham's best move of the game gives the striker a headed chance, but it's over
54
Looks as if West Ham will be soon making a change...
52
Pogrebnyak has the ball in the net, but ruled out for offside. Replays show decision is correct
51
Shot by Jarvis is charged down, but the first danger of the second period
50
In fact, at the start of this half both sides are struggling with their passing. Perhaps the weather isn't helping, but it cannot be the only reason
49
West Ham's passing has been really disappointing today,guilty on numerous occasions
48
Pogrebnyak has already been booked, and is penalised for handling the ball. Must be careful
47
The pitch looks pretty slippy as the rain continues to fall
46
Back underway at the start of the second half. It is still pouring with rain!
And that's half time. Join us in fifteen minutes for the second period. So far it's advantage Reading against a lacklustre West Ham
45+2 Michael Oliver gives James Collins a yellow card to cap off a dreadful half for the defender
45+1
Matt jarvis does well as we go into two minutes of injury time, but Pearce does well to block the cross
45
O'Neill fires well wide for West Ham from 25 yards
43
Turn and shot from Kevin Nolan which Federici dives to hold. A rare opportunity for either side.
42
Fantastic defensive pressure from Leigertwood in midfield, pressing all over the pitch
40
The early goal here was a slight false dawn. Good entertainment, but not huge amounts of quality. Still, plenty of effort from both sides
38
Ironic cheers from Reading fans for gettign a decision from Michael Oliver, but in fairness he has got nothing wrong aside from one corner call, and that went for the home side
36 Pogrebnyak is booked for a fairly industrial aerial challenge
34
A slight lack of quality in the long balls played by Reading in the last few minutes has caused a couple of groans from the crowd, but they should be well pleased with the performance so far
32
West Ham do look a touch flat here, seemingly missing the busy attitude of Diame
30
We will have a delay here as Pearce gets treatment. He appears to have clashed heads with the keeper, but may well continue
29
A collision between goalkeeper Federici and defender Pearce, and the centre back comes off worse. Stays down
28
A lull in the match as West Ham seem satisfied with passing the ball around the back
26
O'Neill heads wide for West Ham. They will perhaps feel slightly unlucky to be behind, but the defensive error was punished
25
Reading clear the corner. They do look to have extra bite in their defence today
24
Chance for West Ham, as Reid heads on goal, but Federici is able to tip over for a corner
22
Carlton Cole is leading the line on his own, but is effectiv in the role. This time he wins a free kick forty yards from goal
21
Pogrebnyak called offside, but the Russian is causing James Collins quite a few problems so far
20
Again Kebe gets into a fantastic position on the goal line but his cross finds no-one
19
This game very end-to-end at the moment, a nice surprise actually
18
Neat work from West Ham around the edge of the box, but Readign scrap to clear the ball and danger is averted
17
Kebe gets in beyond the defence, but his cross is slightly weak and is cleared.
14 Mark Noble slides in and fouls Kebe, and receives the first yellow of the game
14
Noble whips in a free kick, but Federici claims well and sets off Reading on a counter attack
13
Matt Jarvis is just starting to get into the game down the left hand side of the field, teasing Chris Gunter
11
West Ham gain a free kick forty yards out, but Reading finally clear. The Hammers are enjoying a spell of slight pressure
10
Every time Reading have taken the lead this season, they have failed to win. Stat attack
9
West Ham move forward down the left, but Jarvis overhits his cross and it sails out for a goal kick
8
So we have an early goal, and West Ham must deal with a Reading side that very much have their tails up
7
Really poor from Collins, that's just not good enough at this level
6
Awful back pass from James Collins, which Pogrebnyak runs onto to finish comfortably.
5 GOALL!!! 1-0 Reading
4
West Ham finally get on the ball in the Reading half, and Taylor fires well over the bar from a tight angle
3
West Ham struggling to get settled here early on
2
Reading win a free kick and are enjoying early pressure. A free kick is awarded in the box to the defending side
1
An early altercation between Kebe and O'Brien. A feisty start
1
Underway here...
So, five minutes until kick off. Reading are desperate for a win, and you feel that must start today. West Ham are looking for a response after a slightly sticky patch, and an improvement on five away goals would be welcome relief
Oh go one then, I'll treat you, one more, this time from Conner Keane - "I reckon that today is the day the royals get another win, 2-1 to reading!"
Our final twitter line before kick off, and it's Carlton Cole fan Peter Shields - "I think Carlton Cole will make the difference today, he's a top striker who is bang in form - 1-3 West Ham". Ballsy stuff.
Ahhh, it's now torrential rain. Apologies
Ten minutes until kick off here, and the ground is beginning to fill up nicely. Not yet near full, however
A fairly major news announcement for you - It is not currently raining at Reading. I know, I know, unbelievable scenes. I'm sure it will start before too long
I do have one good omen for you. The other time I reported on events at the Madejski it was ding-dong affair against Fulham that ended 3-3. More of the same please
What's that, you want to know what's in my mystic ball? Well I think it'll be a draw and I can't see as many goals as our Twitter communicators. 1-1 for me.
James Chapman has a view from the other side of the fence, but still with goalscoring thoughts: "This will be Reading's day after a nail-biting match. Disappointed ALF hasn't been given a start. 3-2 Reading"
A reminder that you can get in touch with me via @danielstorey85 on Twitter
Shane Donnelly on Twitter has other, more hopeful, ideas: "Hoping for a high scoring game but unfortunately can see it being nil all. Hoping big Carlton Cole can snatch one!"
Fair to say the omens aren't great today, and I hope I'm wrong. West Ham have score just five away goals this season, and I worry that both sides will take a draw.
One important thing to note, Carlton Cole starts for the visitors after his red card against Everton was overturned. Sam Allardyce will be happy as he already has Andy Carroll injured and Ricardo Vaz Te only fit enough for the bench
Reading's apparent lack of adventure is perhaps particularly disappointing given their need for wins, but after a clean sheet against Swansea, you can see Brian McDermott's thought process
West Ham have matched this formation with Carlton Cole on his own up front. I must admit I am slightly worried to see just two strikers on the field at the start of the game.
So, Reading elect to go with just one up front, with Adam Le Fondre still left on the bench. have to say I feel for him
The other housekeeping is to ask you to get in touch with me at @danielstorey85 with your thoughts and predictions for the game ahead
West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Tomkins, Reid, Collins, O'Brien, Noble, O'Neil, Nolan, Taylor, Jarvis, Cole Subs: Spiegel, Demel, Spence, Diarra, Collison, Vaz Te, Maiga
Reading: Federici; Gunter, Harte, Mariappa, Pearce; Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Kebe; Guthrie; Pogrebnyak Subs: Taylor, Cummings, Morrison, Tabb, Robson-Kanu, Hunt, Le Fondre
We have the team news nice and early, so without further ado...
Good afternoon and welcome to our live commentary of Reading v West Ham
