Reading
1-0
West Ham West Ham United

Pogrebnyak (5')

FT(HT: 1-0)

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Half-Time Report: Pavel Pogrebnyak gives Reading lead

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 29 December 2012

Reading lead West Ham by a solitary goal at the halfway stage of their Premier League encounter.

Struggling Reading have taken a one-goal lead into half time of their match against West Ham United this afternoon.

Pavel Pogrebnyak scores the opener against West Ham on December 29, 2012 © PA Photos

The hosts took the lead after just five minutes as Pavel Pogrebnyak pounced on a poor backpass from James Collins before coolly slotting the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The Hammers came close to drawing level in the 23rd minute as Kevin Nolan's floated delivery found Winston Reid, but his header was tipped over the bar by Adam Federici.

Reading manager Brian McDermott on the touchline on December 29, 2012 © PA Photos

West Ham had another chance five minutes later as Matthew Taylor was released down the right before sweeping a cross in towards Carlton Cole, but Federici eventually gathered the ball.

Nolan was the next to test the Reading keeper, forcing a save after shooting on the turn with just a minute left in the half.