Goals from Lewis Grabban and Matt Ritchie have given Bournemouth a 2-0 lead over a wasteful Reading side at the half way point of this afternoon's Championship clash.

The Royals piled on the pressure in the early stages, twice coming close from corners thanks to the aerial threat posed by Billy Sharp.

Reading controlled the match, constantly threatening the Cherries rear guard through Garath McCleary, but they struggled to create much in the way of clear-cut chances.

Bournemouth took the lead against the run of play when Grabban capitalised on sloppy defending from Reading to tap home from close range following a free kick.

The Cherries went into the break 2-0 up courtesy of a strike from Ritchie in the 40th minute, who rifled home from the edge of the area after the hosts had given the ball away cheaply.