FA Cup: Reading top Bradford to reach semifinal against Arsenal
Reading outclassed 10-man Bradford in their FA Cup quarter-final replay to set up a Wembley semi-final date against holders Arsenal.
The two sides shared a goalless draw in the original tie at Valley Parade but Reading were the better side in Monday's replay, sealing a comfortable 3-0 win to reach their first semi-final since 1927.
Bradford have made a name for themselves as giant killers in recent years, and had knocked out two Premier League sides on their way to this season's last eight, but they could not work their way back into this game and will now return to fighting for promotion from League One.
The kick-off time was almost altered as Bradford supporters fought against heavy traffic, but those away fans who did get in on time only witnessed their team struggle to get out of first gear.
Reading, meanwhile, looked fresh as Steve Clarke made 11 changes from the side that lost 4-1 to Watford in the Championship on Saturday.
Hal Robson-Kanu's header put the Royals in front with the game's first chance and the impressive Garath McCleary saw a shot deflected in on nine minutes meaning Bradford would requite another historical evening to seal another trip to Wembley.
Any hope the Bantams had of completing a comeback was made more difficult when Felipe Morais was shown a straight red card for a high foot on Nathaniel Chalobah just after the hour-mark.
And it was Chelsea loanee Chalobah who set-up the third Reading goal which truly put the game beyond doubt as he fed Jamie Mackie - who hammered home a third for the hosts.
