Premier League: Reading v Tottenham – in pictures

Tottenham and Reading have garnered just three points between them so far this season, making victory in today's fixture a necessity for both André Villas-Boas and his managerial counterpart Brian McDermott Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

Villas-Boas has opted to keep Brad Friedel in goal, demoting the Frenchman Hugo Lloris (pictured) to the bench Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images

Spurs, in their new black and grey away kit, are the more offensive in the early stages. Here, Moussa Dembélé is checked by Jem Karacan Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

In return, Jan Vertonghen brings Pavel Pogrebnyak to the turf with an indiscreet block Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images

With 17 minutes gone Tottenham get their reward ... Gylfi Sigurdsson slides a weighted pass through the heart of Reading's defence, allowing Aaron Lennon to cut the ball back to Jermain Defoe ... Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

... The England striker scuffs his shot a little, but the direction is perfect and the ball finds the far corner of the net. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

1-0 to Spurs. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

On the half-hour mark, Defoe seizes on a wayward pass from the Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and squares the ball to Gylfi Sigurdsson, but Sigurdsson's shot is cleared off the line Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Reading have the momentum in the second half. Here, Mikele Leigertwood bursts between Sigurdsson and Dembele Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images

... but two goals in quick succession from Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe have put the game to bed Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

Defoe's run and left-footed shot was simply too quick for Reading. A consolation goal for Hal Robson-Kanu, who stretches high at the back post to clip home Adama Le Fondre's chip, make it 3-1 at the final whistle. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images