Reading manager Brendan Rodgers watched his side claim their first home win since January, as the Royals beat Blackpool 2-1, and then proclaimed that the feeling was like "winning the World Cup".
While Rodgers may have to stretch his imagination to empathise with those who have reached football's pinnacle, that the Royals had not tasted success at the Madejski Stadium since 27 January – 17 matches ago – is a good enough excuse for hyperbole. Rodgers has seen his side come up short on eight occasions at home since he took over in the summer.
The Scot and the home fans were rewarded for a much-improved performance that lifts Reading out of the relegation zone.
Gylfi Sigurdsson put the Royals ahead with a cool finish but Brett Ormerod struck before the hour mark to leave Rodgers looking at yet another draw. But Rasiak met Marek Matejovsky's cross with a diving header to give the home fans a long-awaited win.
The Royals flew out of the blocks and Jobi McAnuff demanded a sharp save from Matthew Gilks in the opening 30 seconds. Brian Howard then stung the palms of Gilks with a free-kick before Simon Church was desperately unlucky not to open the scoring. Howard whipped in a corner to the near post and after getting ahead of his marker Church flicked a volley goalward but saw the ball strike the outside of the post.
McAnuff then stood up a chip to the far post that Jimmy Kébéé volleyed into Gilks's midriff as the home side piled on the pressure.
Sigurdsson and Church saw efforts drift narrowly wide before the half-hour mark while Ben Burgess finally had an effort for Blackpool when Adam Federici tipped his drive around the post.
For all Reading's domination, Burgess thumped a shot against the post at the end of a swift counterattack as the sides went in at half-time on level terms.
The home crowd must have feared the worst but the Royals finally forged ahead in the 52nd minute. McAnuff broke clear down the left and crossed for Sigurdsson, who showed admirable composure to take a touch and clip the ball beyond Gilks and into the far corner. It was the fourth goal Reading have scored at home this season.
However, the Royals were unable to hold on as Ormerod dragged his side level six minutes later.
Keith Southern span a pass out to Charlie Adam on the left after a sustained period of possession and Adam delivered a pinpoint cross for Ormerod to hook first time in at the near post.
The lively Church was injured as he stretched awkwardly so Rasiak came on his place as Reading looked desperately for a winner and the Poland international duly delivered with eight minutes left, reacting well to nod in Matejovsky's cross.
After a trip of almost six hours Ian Holloway, the Blackpool manager picked out some unlikely villains – the ballboys. "Towards the end I complained about the multi-ball system which I wasn't happy with. I am campaigning to get rid of it.
"My players didn't get it back as quick as theirs, but when Reading went ahead their players went to get the ball themselves."
The Managers' Verdict
Brendan Rodgers "That was thoroughly deserved. We had a terrific start and hopefully people can see the growth and development in the squad. That's seven points from the last nine. I got drenched going in to the middle of the pitch to applaud the supporters at the end but I would have slid there on my knees if I could have done."
Ian Holloway "I was very disappointed. My goalkeeper was too busy for my liking. Reading played better than us and their wide men were a real handful. The reports we had before the game suggested they shouldn't be down where they are. I expected them to play a 4-4-2 so I was surprised when they lined up with one up front."
The Fan's Verdict
Was it a good match? It's been 301 days since our last home league win so it feels fantastic – a mixture of relief and ecstasy. It was a very entertaining game which we thoroughly deserved to win. But Blackpool attacked in the second half and the result could have gone either way. Who played well/who had a nightmare? Jobi McAnuff was MOTM – he beat their full-back five times in the opening 15 minutes and was still running himself ragged in the 90th minute. But that shouldn't detract from how well the rest of the team played. Jay Tabb and Ivar Ingimarsson were very solid in defence. Marek Matejovsky was good in midfield. Hal Robson-Kanu did well as a second-half sub. Gylfi Sigurdsson scored a good goal. Mike Robson, Observer reader
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