Reading 1-0 Watford: Royals claim fourth straight win
- Published
George Puscas joined Reading from Inter Milan
George Puscas hit the winner to maintain Reading's 100% league record and end Watford's unbeaten start.
Tom Holmes threaded a neat pass into Puscas, whose turn and shot deflected off Craig Cathcart and past the wrong-footed Ben Foster.
James Garner came closest for the Hornets, thundering a first-half free-kick against the crossbar.
Watford bossed the second half, but the hosts came closest to the game's second goal when Foster saved Yakou Meite's low drive and stay second, behind leaders Bristol City on goals scored.
The Reading defence, marshalled by Michael Morrison, have conceded just once in their four league wins to ensure the club's best start since the 1985-86 season rolled on.
The Hornets were unbeaten in their previous six visits to Madejski Stadium, but their failure to turn chances into goals means their search continues for a first away win since January.
The injury-hit hosts gave starts to four academy players, with a further five on the bench alongside leading scorer Lucas Joao, and the Hornets were immediately on the front foot, with Ismaila Sarr's pace tormenting the Reading defence.
Tom Dele-Bashiru had a header blocked, while Jeremy Ngakia dragged a shot wide and Sarr hit the side netting, all in the first 10 minutes.
But Watford have scored just twice in the Championship this season, and were punished for their lack of cutting edge as they conceded their first league goal of the season moments after Foster had saved well from Meite.
The visitors brought on Glenn Murray late on as they sought to turn their second-half dominance into an equaliser, but the Royals were content to play on the counter-attack and defended with discipline to stay second behind Bristol City.
Reading manager Veljko Paunovic:
"We are happy with our performances, we're happy with how the team is developing and how the guys are bonding. But we know that we haven't done anything yet. It's just a good beginning and we still have a long way to go.
"It was the hardest game that we have had so far because the teams are now getting more into the season and getting in better shape - us included.
"In the first 15 minutes, to be honest, we struggled to adjust to Watford's attack. But, after that, we made a good job with the adjustments."
Watford boss Vladimir Ivic told BBC Three Counties:
"I am disappointed because I believe we were the better team.
"We tried to react in the second half, we played organised for the first 15-20 minutes, maybe we didn't create a clear chance, but in the last 20 minutes we start to be nervous, we start to lose the confidence, our shape and our movement.
"I can be satisfied with most of the game, we played good, especially in the first 45 minutes I believe we were dominant. We created three or four very good chances to score two or three goals."