Dominic Solanke has scored 12 goals this seasonChampionship leaders Bournemouth extended their unbeaten start to 15 matches with a hard-fought win at Reading.
The Cherries went ahead at the end of an even first half when Gary Cahill headed a far-post corner back across the box to Dominic Solanke whose downward header bounced past three Reading players on the goal-line.
Second-half substitute Jamal Lowe doubled the lead just three minutes after coming on, cutting into the box and placing a low shot across goalkeeper Luke Southwood and into the far corner of the net.
Scott Dann went closest for the Royals, forcing Cherries goalkeeper Mark Travers into a full-stretch save in stoppage time with a flicked header.
Relive Saturday’s EFL actionBournemouth – enjoying their best-ever start in the top two tiers – remain the EFL’s only unbeaten side after an 11th win in 15 matches, while a third straight defeat leaves a depleted Reading in 16th.
Scott Parker’s side remain five points clear of second-placed Fulham, who beat West Brom earlier on Saturday, and nine points ahead of the Baggies, in third.
The Cherries have kept seven successive away clean sheets, but that looked in jeopardy early on against a high tempo Reading start as George Puscas volleyed John Swift’s outrageous rabona cross just past the far post.
The visitors began to dominate possession and pin the hosts back, but had failed to seriously trouble the Royals goal until Cahill was left unmarked to tee up Solanke’s fifth goal in as many games.
However, there was controversy in the build-up to the goal as Reading midfielder Danny Drinkwater thought he had prevented the ball from going for the corner which led to it.
The hosts went close to an equaliser soon after the break, Puscas poking over the bar on the stretch from four yards under pressure from Bournemouth captain Lloyd Kelly.
But Bournemouth showed the clinical edge which has earned them nine wins from their last 10 matches, Philip Billing pouncing when Reading lost possession in their own half to play in Lowe for the decisive second.
Reading continued to press for a way back, but with forwards Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite among a crippling 10-man injury list, failed to force Travers into a save until Dann’s late effort.
Line-upsReadingFormation 4-2-3-1
22Southwood
17Yiadom6Moore24Dann21Baba
15Drinkwater28Laurent
19Dele-Bashiru10Swift14Ejaria
47Puscas
22Southwood17Yiadom6Moore24Dann21Baba15Drinkwater28LaurentBooked at 13mins19Dele-Bashiru10Swift14Ejaria47PuscasSubstituted forClarkeat 85’minutesSubstitutes3Holmes32Camara33Cabral Barbosa35Ehibhationham36Osorio39Clarke48AshcroftBournemouthFormation 4-3-3
42Travers
17Stacey24Cahill5Kelly33Zemura
8Lerma26Kilkenny29Billing
10Christie9Solanke32Anthony
42Travers17Stacey24Cahill5Kelly33ZemuraSubstituted forMephamat 70’minutesBooked at 90mins8Lerma26KilkennyBooked at 37minsSubstituted forPearsonat 45’minutes29Billing10Christie9Solanke32AnthonyBooked at 38minsSubstituted forLoweat 56’minutesSubstitutes1Nyland4L Cook6Mepham11Marcondes18Lowe22Pearson27RogersReferee:Oliver Langford
Attendance:13,551
Live TextMatch ends, Reading 0, Bournemouth 2.
Second Half ends, Reading 0, Bournemouth 2.
Corner, Reading. Conceded by Mark Travers.
Attempt saved. Scott Dann (Reading) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by John Swift with a cross.
Foul by Jefferson Lerma (Bournemouth).
Scott Dann (Reading) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Chris Mepham (Bournemouth) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Chris Mepham (Bournemouth).
Josh Laurent (Reading) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Jamal Lowe.
Foul by Jamal Lowe (Bournemouth).
Andy Yiadom (Reading) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Reading. Jahmari Clarke replaces George Puscas.
Offside, Reading. Danny Drinkwater tries a through ball, but John Swift is caught offside.
Attempt blocked. Scott Dann (Reading) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Attempt missed. Danny Drinkwater (Reading) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by John Swift.
Attempt blocked. Danny Drinkwater (Reading) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Corner, Reading. Conceded by Chris Mepham.
Foul by Philip Billing (Bournemouth).
Tom Dele-Bashiru (Reading) wins a free kick in the defensive half.