LONDON, April 9 - English second division leaders
Sunderland suffered a surprise 2-1 home defeat by Reading on
Saturday.
Sunderland, who had won their last eight matches, looked on
course to extend their lead at the top to eight points when
Julio Arca put them ahead with a neat far-post header after 52
minutes.
Reading refused to lie down, however, and Dave Kitson
bundled in the equaliser before converting a penalty eight
minutes from time to consolidate his team's position in fifth
place, one point behind Preston North End.
Sunderland remained five points ahead of Ipswich Town, who
play Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, and eight clear of Wigan
Athletic, who face Cardiff City later on Saturday.