Reading striker Kevin Doyle scored a hat-trick for the second successive home game as they hammered Sheffield Wednesday at the Madejski Stadium.

Doyle struck twice early on, first converting Noel Hunt's cross and then firing a deflected shot into the net.

Andre Bikey made it 3-0 when he headed home a free-kick, before Noel Hunt slid the ball under the advancing Lee Grant.

Doyle completed his treble with a crisp turn and finish past Grant, before Noel Hunt fired in the Royals' sixth.

Reading manager Steve Coppell:
"We prepare the same way for games and there's not much difference between the build-up to one match and another and yet some games it just sparks for whatever reason.

"It is really difficult for me to put my finger on it. It was chalk and cheese from the way we played on Saturday.

"We had a mentality to make amends and the start was important. I think it's important to get your noses in front in this league."

Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws
"The trip epitomised our day. We left Sheffield at 8am and didn't get to Reading until 3pm.

"We hit accidents on the M1 and the M40 and sitting it out on a coach for seven hours isn't great.

"I don't want to use too many excuses but that was a major factor. To give them two goals in the first 10 minutes was absolutely soul destroying."

Reading: Hahnemann, Rosenior, Bikey, Pearce, Armstrong, Kebe, Harper, Karacan, Stephen Hunt (Convey 67), Doyle (Long 63), Noel Hunt (Kelly 77).
Subs Not Used: Federici, Sodje.

Goals: Doyle 5, 9, Bikey 30, Noel Hunt 50, Doyle 62, Noel Hunt 64.

Sheff Wed: Grant, McMahon, Wood, Spurr, Gilbert, Johnson, O'Connor, McAllister (Smith 62), Esajas (Small 55), Burton (Jeffers 69), Tudgay.
Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, Clarke.

Booked: Gilbert.

Att: 18,159.

Ref: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire).