The Knowledge | Reading | Who stole the show last time we played at Reading? | OneFootball

It's approaching 13 years since we last played at Reading's Select Car Leasing Stadium - known then as the Madjeski Stadium - and Jermain Defoe stole the show with a couple of trademark strikes in a 3-1 win in the Premier League.

That was on 16 September, 2012 with the team in complete control against a Royals side destined for relegation.

Legacy Number #686, Jermain, seventh in our all-time top goalscorers with 143, opened the scoring on 18 minutes after Gylfi Sigurdsson's pass to Aaron Lennon cut open Reading's back line, 'JD' sweeping home Aaron's cut back first time into the corner. Gareth Bale made it 2-0 from Kyle Walker's cross on 71 minutes and Defoe provided another lethal finish for 3-0 on 74. Robson-Kanu scored a late consolation.

Our team that day: Friedel, Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Naughton, Sandro, Dembele, Lennon (Townsend), Bale (Dempsey), Sigurdsson (Huddlestone), Defoe. Substitutes (not used): Lloris, Dawson, Caulker, Adebayor.

Who's that in the stand?

As kick-off approached for a friendly at the Madjeski in July, 2005, all eyes turned to the Directors Box in the main stand - and an unmistakable figure in a grey suit, white shirt and dreadlocks.

Yes, Edgar Davids was in the house!

That was on 30 July, 2005 - three days later, he was officially a Spurs player, signed on a free transfer from Inter Milan.

One of the all-time greats, 'The Pitbull' watched on as his future team-mates secured a 2-0 win with Mido and Jermain Defoe on target. Edgar went on to make 44 appearances for us before returning to Holland and Ajax in 2007.

10 goals and Berba's masterclass

Dimitar Berbatov became only the second player to score four goals for us in a Premier League fixture when he achieved the feat in a 10-goal thriller against Reading on 29 December, 2007 - Jurgen Klinsmann was the first, against Wimbledon in May, 1998. Since then, Jermain Defoe has gone one better with a famous five against Wigan in November, 2009 while Berba and Jurgen's feat has been matched by Robbie Keane, Harry Kane and, most recently, Heung-Min Son.

4+ goals | Premier League

5 - Jermain Defoe vs Wigan - 22/11/094 - Jurgen Klinsmann vs Wimbledon - 02/05/984 - Dimitar Berbatov vs Reading - 29/12/074 - Robbie Keane vs Burnley - 26/09/094 - Harry Kane vs Leicester City - 18/05/174 - Heung-Min Son vs Southampton - 20/09/20

1-0, 1-1, 1-2, 2-2, 2-3, 3-3, 3-4, 4-4, 5-4, 6-4!

Berba's quartet came in a crazy, rollercoaster game against the Royals at the Lane. The Bulgarian legend opened the scoring on seven minutes. Reading hit back to lead 2-1 (16, 53), Berba made it 2-2 (63), Reading led again (69), Berba's hat-trick made it 3-3 (73), Reading led again at 4-3 (74) before Steed Malbranque (76) and Jermain Defoe (79) turned it back around at 5-4. Berba had the final word with his fourth, 6-4, on 83 minutes. Incredibly, that was the first 6-4 scoreline in our history! That was the 10th of 11 double-figure scoreline matches in the Football/Premier League.

Our team that day: Robinson, Chimbonda, Kaboul, King (Defoe 61), Lee, Lennon (Boateng 67), Jenas, Huddlestone, Malbranque, Berbatov, Keane (Tainio 80). Substitutes (not used): Cerny, Taarabt.

10+ goals | PL/FL

5-7 vs Middlesbrough (Div1) - 13/02/19155-5 vs Huddersfield (Div1) - 19/09/19257-3 vs Sheffield Wednesday (Div1) - 30/08/19269-3 vs Port Vale (Div2) - 21/11/193110-4 vs Everton (Div1) - 11/10/19589-2 vs Forest (Div1) - 29/09/19627-4 vs Wolves (Div1) - 27/03/19655-5 vs Villa (Div1) - 19/03/19662-8 vs Derby (Div1) - 16/10/766-4 vs Reading (PL) - 29/12/20079-1 vs Wigan (PL) - 22/11/2009

Last 5 | Reading

All Premier League...

01/01/2013 - Spurs 3-1 Reading (Dawson, Adebayor, Dempsey)16/09/2012 - Reading 1-3 Spurs (Defoe 2, Bale)03/05/2008 - Reading 0-1 Spurs (Keane)29/07/2007 - Spurs 6-4 Reading (Berbatov 4, Malbrabque, Defoe)01/04/2007 - Reading 0-1 Spurs (Keane)

We've also met Reading in two pre-season friendlies since 2013, most recently a 4-1 win a behind-closed-doors encounter during COVID at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 28 August, 2020 - Dele, Heung-Min Son and Erik Lamela on target, plus an own goal. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen struck the only goal in a 1-0 friendly win at Hotspur Way on 18 July, 2015.

Highlights | Reading 1-3 Spurs | 16.09.2012