CLINICAL READING COULD BE IN THE HUNT

TWO years ago, Burnley surprised the bookies, the pundits and – if they are honest – probably themselves by winning promotion to the Premier League.

Tipped for relegation, their solid system, blitzkrieg counter-attacks and nippy forwards eventually saw them finish in second place to secure top-flight status.

Could Reading be about to repeat that feat? Certainly on this showing, after Burnley were comprehensively beaten at their own game.

By the end of the first half, the Clarets had 67 per cent possession but no answers to a Reading side almost impossibly dangerous on the break.

If the Royals can keep key players fit, they will be hard to stop this season, especially on the road.

Burnley, though, shouldn’t be too disheartened. The Clarets were simply caught cold and were worthy of a leveller by the end, which never quite arrived.

Knowing Sean Dyche, it won’t happen again.