Reading beat Derby with some ease at Pride Park but were still relegated to the Championship after Fulham’s late victory away at Portsmouth.

The Royals needed to better Fulham’s result to stay up, but Danny Murphy’s goal condemned them to the second tier.

Reading went ahead when James Harper curled a fine shot into the top corner.

Dave Kitson converted Leroy Lita’s cross, Kevin Doyle prodded in a third and Lita powered in a late header - but it was not enough for Reading.

The visitors were cruelly relegated on goal difference - a heartbreaking end to the season for Royals fans and manager Steve Coppell.
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Robbie Keane scored the game’s only goal as Tottenham’s first win in six plunged Reading into the drop zone and in stark danger of relegation.

The Irishman clipped in after good work from Darren Bent, who himself twice went close as Spurs dominated early on.

Reading finally found their feet in the second half and Dave Kitson and Liam Rosenior both forced fabulous saves from Radek Cerny in a tense finale.

But Bent also hit the post for Spurs and the visitors found no way through.

It means the Royals must now get a result against Derby on the last day of the season and hope that Fulham drop points
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Wigan edged closer to Premier League safety but Reading are still looking nervously over their shoulders after this tense draw.

The Latics made a blistering start and almost scored early on when Marcus Bent’s powerful header hit the post.

Reading settled after a poor opening and Leroy Lita and Michael Duberry both went close after the interval.

Michael Brown almost won it for Wigan late on, but neither side could force the winner they desperately needed.
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Arsenal increased Reading’s relegation worries with a comfortable victory.

Arsene Wenger’s side outclassed Reading and went ahead after 30 minutes when Emmanuel Adebayor slid home a calm finish from Kolo Toure’s cross.

Gilberto Silva added a second before half-time when his long-range shot deflected in off Andre Bikey.

Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott struck the woodwork and Michael Duberry cleared off the line from Cesc Fabregas after the break as Arsenal dominated.

Fulham sealed their first away win in 33 matches against fellow strugglers Reading to keep alive their hopes of avoiding Premier League relegation.

Brian McBride fired home a Simon Davies cross from close range on 23 minutes to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Fulham hit the bar three times in the second-half before Erik Nevland scored the decisive second, driving home from 15 yards in the dying minutes.

Reading’s best chance came when Kevin Doyle headed just wide on 40 minutes.

Fulham started the day with the knowledge that any result other than a win would make relegation all but a certainty.