Reading somehow managed to blow a 4-0 lead over Arsenal during the latter’s 7-5 League Cup triumph on Tuesday night, a humiliating result for the hosts, even taking into account that ” Theo Walcott’s regulation-time equaliser was scored in the 63rd of the four extra minutes added on by the referee”. Still, ” a four-goal recovery is a four-goal recovery is a four-goal recovery” writes The Guardian’s Scott Murray.

As for Reading, well, everyone has their off days, like Arsenal did when shipping eight at Old Trafford last season, or like Arsenal will when shipping eight at Old Trafford this coming Saturday, unless they get their act together sharpish. But nevertheless, having become the first-ever team to score five times in an English domestic cup game yet still lose, the crumbling Biscuitmen could take some time to get over this. “It’s embarrassing for us all,” stuttered Reading boss Brian McDermott, who has given his players two days off to recover, during which they have been advised to go home and sit in the shower while holding their knees and rocking quite a lot. “I might throw the DVD of this game in the bin,” McDermott added, eschewing professional analysis in favour of going home and sitting in the shower while holding his knees and rocking quite a lot.