Reading vs Wolves match report: Six goal thriller at the Madejski Stadium

Reading 3 Wolves 3

Just like Wolves, Glenn Murray is in a hurry to make up for lost time. Kenny Jackett’s side found out the hard way here after Murray, Reading’s loan striker, had the final say in this six-goal thriller.

Murray was branded football’s unluckiest man after scoring the goals that helped send Crystal Palace up to the Premier League in 2013.

He missed out on the Wembley party with a serious knee injury sustained a week earlier in the play-offs and last term was a virtual write-off.

Now he is back in the second tier and building his reputation once again as his late leveller denied Wolves from moving up into second spot.

No wonder Nigel Adkins, the Reading manager, is pleased to call upon Murray’s services until January.

“Glenn has settled in well,” said Adkins. “I’m delighted with him scoring goals and he is a big threat. We have got players who score different goals and he is one of them.

“I believe we have threats in the team who can score goals. That’s demonstrated with three goals scored in our last three home matches. We just have to have better control of the football.”

It was all going to plan for Reading and their new Thai owners when Michael Hector headed home Oliver Norwood’s cross to hand Reading a 19th-minute lead.

However, the hosts were shell-shocked after the break as ex-Reading winger James Henry levelled and Lee Evans promptly put Wolves ahead.

Jake Taylor equalised with a third goal in the space of four minutes, collecting Simon Cox’s pass to sweep home and sum up a topsy-turvy game.

Reading’s Nick Blackman then flicked Bakary Sako’s corner into his own net with six minutes remaining, but Murray ensured the visitors missed the chance to go second with a deflected 25-yard drive in the 89th minute.

“There is some frustration in being ahead twice and the nature of the goals,” said Jackett, the Wolves manager.

“This was an awakening to the Championship with the pace and physicality.

“That was two attacking sides out there and it was a great game. We are disappointed with some aspects, but we can’t let that affect our spirit.

“All in all it was a very spirited second half and showed great attitude and no little quality. But if you do drop off and invite sides on that can be dangerous.”

Just three years ago Wolves were in the Premier League but, after a dramatic slide that saw them relegated to League One in successive seasons, they are now eyeing another crack at the big boys.

“We have been very good defensively and this is not something we are known for,” added Jackett.

“Of course we would love to be top and we wouldn’t hide from that. But we played our part in a fantastic game.”