On february 2013
A double from Jimmy Kebe – including a late winner – condemned Sunderland to defeat to Reading.
The Mali forward rifled in an early opener as the hosts dominated against a Black Cats side aiming to move into the top half of the table.
Craig Gardner had equalised from the penalty spot just before the half-hour after Pavel Pogrebnyak fouled John O'Shea.
But the Royals had the final say as Kebe headed in late on to seal the points after Sunderland debutant Danny Graham saw a point-blank header saved by Adam Federici.
The Sunderland chief saw his side's afternoon get off to the worst possible start as Reading surged ahead after just seven minutes.
Jobu McAnuff made a good run down the left and pulled the ball back for Kebe, who took a deft to open up some space before drilling a left-footed shot high into the net form 12 yards out.
Reading striker Pogrebnyak will have been kicking himself after felling O'Shea with a needless sliding challenge after a Sunderland corner was half-cleared towards the edge of the box.
Gardner, however, didn't need asking twice and beat Federici with a consummately cool penalty, burying the ball perfectly into the bottom corner beyond the keeper's outstretched fingertips.
Finally, Harte swung a dangerous free-kick to the back post and there was Kebe to head high into the net from inside the six-yard box to register the decider.
Sunderland Official match report.
Carlos Cuéllar Official website © 2026