Bellamy and Etherington Leave Ragged Royals Looking Flushed

West Ham's counter-attacking prowess shone through in this free-flowing encounter as they settled matters with three goals following brisk breaks. Craig Bellamy, showing his pace and poise, proved the architect of the first efforts as he scored the first and teed up the second. Matthew Etherington was the man who delivered the killer touches for the second goal and then the third in the dying moments. West Ham's goalkeeper, Robert Green, grabbed his own share of personal glory by making a 76th-minute save from Kevin Doyle's penalty that ensured it would be a far more comfortable end to the game than it could have been for Alan Curbishley's team.

The sight of West Ham as opposition should have made it easy for Reading to motivate themselves. The London side's attempted signing of Reading's highly-rated Nicky Shorey was fresh in mind and an issue that had aggravated the home side's manager Steve Coppell.

Secondly, this was just the sort of fixture the Royals needed - on paper - after a run of four fixtures against teams expected to challenge for European qualification at least. Having mauled West Ham 6-0 on New Year's Day, in their previous meeting here, Reading's confidence was high.

But West Ham were encouraged by the return of Dean Ashton to their starting line-up and began adventurously. Reading had the first chance, though, when Leroy Lita earned a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, which Stephen Hunt delivered dangerously, forcing Robert Green into an important punch to clear.

When West Ham made their first genuine surge at goal, they scored. It began when Bryn Gunnarsson attempted a pass that Lee Bowyer crucially intercepted in West Ham's half of the field. Bowyer then threaded the ball forward to Bellamy. The former Liverpool forward embarked on a lengthy run down the right before moving in towards the edge of the 18-yard box and producing an angled drive that evaded Marcus Hahnemann.

Reading's response was strong. James Harper twisted and turned, with a clutch of West Ham defenders ahead of him in the penalty area, before unleashing a low strike that unfortunately deflected off Matthew Upson for a corner. West Ham did not go into defensive mode, though, and Etherington's cross for Mark Noble presented the central midfielder with a promising opening but he skied his effort.

Reading's best chance of the half came seconds before the interval as Graeme Murty's long pass fell into the path of Doyle. The Irishman knocked the ball back for Hunt who struck sweetly and was peeling away ready to celebrate, but had to watch the ball dip frustratingly on to the bar.

West Ham reasserted their supremacy after half-time and doubled their lead following a brilliant passing move involving Hayden Mullins, Etherington and Bellamy. It culminated in a swift one-two between Bellamy and Etherington, before the latter's fierce finish.

Reading created chances but repeatedly spurned them. Dave Kitson's cross for Lita was a case in point, as the Reading striker failed to make clean contact. The lowest point for Reading, though, came when Green felled Kitson, leading to the penalty that was saved.

Etherington wrapped up the game, fittingly, with a breakaway run from the half-way line that ended in him arrowing the ball beyond Hahnemann from 18 yards in the final seconds.

Man of the match: Craig Bellamy

His opener was a fine example of the devastation he can inflict on the opposition when West Ham break with speed. His composure was admirable during the build-up to that first goal. He then played an instrumental part in putting the visitors 2-0 ahead.