Soccer: Reading missed chance to go third

LONDON - English premier league soccer newcomers Reading missed the chance to go third in the standings after losing 2-3 at Newcastle United today.

Newcastle took the lead in the 23rd minute with an Antoine Sibierski header but two goals in five minutes by midfielder James Harper near the end of the first half gave Reading the advantage at the break.

Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins levelled for Newcastle with a penalty 10 minutes into the second period after he was fouled by Ibrahima Sonko but Emre's left-footed effort six minutes from fulltime gave Newcastle the points.

In today's other premier league game, Wigan Athletic beat struggling West Ham United 2-0 at Upton Park.

David Cotterill put the visitors ahead in the 51st minute and an own goal from West Ham's Jonathan Spector gave Wigan the points and lifted them to 11th in the table.

The result pushed West Ham down to third from bottom with 14 points from 16 games as Newcastle climbed out of the relegation zone to 15th with 16 points.

Reading stay in sixth spot level on 25 points with third-placed Arsenal, Portsmouth and Liverpool.

- REUTERS