Reading 0-1 Tottenham

May 4 2008

READING boss Steve Coppell last night insisted his side have the stomach to battle for the points that will keep them up after falling into the relegation zone.

Robbie Keane bagged his 23rd goal of the season to give Spurs the points meaning Reading have to beat Derby this week to have a chance of beating the drop.

But Coppell reckons his side are up to the challenge despite watching them being outplayed throughout.

He said: "We know what we have to do now - we have to win. We've got the stomach for the fight, no question, but we need to win. Tottenham were unbelievable and we found it almost impossible to contain them."

And Reading will be uncertain they can grab a result at Pride Park after this sad show where they could have lost by more.

Spurs took the game to Coppell's men and almost went ahead when Steed Malbranque played Darren Bent in but his powerful strike was saved by Marcus Hahnemann's legs. The visitors took the lead after Keane (left) went on a superb weaving run, skipping past Kevin Doyle and Liam Rosenior before firing into corner of the net.

Reading had a chance to equalise moments later but Leroy Lita fired wide from a tight angle.

Malbranque should have wrapped up the points two minutes into the second half.

Keane's cross to the far post presented his team-mate with an open goal but the Frenchman poked into the side netting.

Three minutes later Malbranque scooped the ball over the Reading defence but Bent looked short on confidence and took too long on the ball before the defence cleared.

Reading had a chance on the hour when Andre Bikey (far left) found space on the edge of the area but his shot flew over.

Bent also struck a post for the visitors, while Reading had a penalty shout turned down when the ball appeared to strike Alan Hutton.

Reading could have snatched a point but Radek Cerny saved from Dave Kitson and Liam Rosenior late on.

Spurs coach Gus Poyet said: "We played great. I'm pleased with our performance."