PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: READING V CHELSEA

Chelsea thrilled in a 3-2 win over Birmingham City that was slick and spellbinding at times; United looked subdued and disjointed in a 0-0 draw against our next opponents, Reading. It's become an accepted fact that the team that starts slowly loses the race. But is it true?

To a degree, yes. Since 2003 the margin for error has been tiny. In the season unbeaten Arsenal won the League in 2004, Chelsea under Claudio Ranieri finished second. After nine games - just under a third of the season, and what might reasonably be called 'the start' - Chelsea had drawn two games and lost one; United had lost and drawn one, so enjoyed a two-point advantage that disappeared by May.In 2004/5, the year Chelsea first won the title under José Mourinho, Chelsea had drawn two and lost one at the same stage, while Sir Alex Ferguson's side had drawn five and lost only to Chelsea - a six-point deficit from which the Reds never recovered.After nine games of our successful title defence in 2005/6, Chelsea were straight winners all the way but United had slipped to three draws and one defeat. That was the opening deficit that made Fergie say 'Never again'.

Last season, when United appeared to storm out of the blocks, in actual fact both sides had again lost and drawn one each.The fact is that unlike the past there is no let up, and no period more important the next; title-winners never have a dodgy period as may have happened in the past. It's neck and neck until one horse tires and fades.The problem arises when, as with Liverpool and Arsenal in recent years, too many points have been dropped early on to sustain a meaningful challenge for the League.United need not worry too much about the two points that went astray on the opening game of the season: they did the same thing two seasons running when they became champions - 1998-2000.

Reading achieved Sunday's upset with a stifling plan and a well-organised performance. No team pushes forward more, tries to get behind a team to a greater extent and aims to fire in crosses than the Old Trafford mob. Manager Steve Coppell obviously knew that nine in every ten United goals is scored from inside the box.His concept was not just to cut off the supply lines, but the supply to the supply lines. He doubled up on key players, had his players play a high line of defence with the able goalie Marcus Hahnemann sweeping up, pressed mercilessly around the halfway line, and deployed man-markers on the more free-moving creatives in United's side.

With experts placing the Royals on the 'at risk' register for 'second season syndrome' - the idea that a newly-promoted side soon gets sussed and struggles - will the sanguine Coppell try the same tactic at home against Chelsea? Will Royals fans let him?

There is more of course to this fixture. Reading is a town with a high percentage of Chelsea-supporting residents; regulars at the Madejski don't like their nearest big Premier League neighbours.

And then there are the events of last season's match. Two visiting keepers exited injured, John Terry donned Hilario's shirt for the closing moments, and all three Chelsea custodians kept a clean sheet. The Premier League has since issued stricter guidelines regarding medical provision at football stadiums.

Mourinho's men rallied to win 1-0. Reading had not dropped a home point until then; later they drew with United and to Liverpool and Arsenal. Blackburn, Everton and Watford similarly left Berkshire with all three points.

With a second successive away match for Chelsea at Liverpool to follow on Sunday (the Reds start their Champions League qualification in midweek) there may be one or two team changes, but such was the quality of performance that few places would be under threat on merit.

Andre Villas's scouting of the United game may suggest some tweaks to upset Reading plans, while any team would be stronger for the return of fit-again Didier, and Michael Essien may not be risked if his knee injury persists. Might Steve Sidwell make a quick return to the turf he recently trod? And who will be handed a frostier reception - the Royals star who quit to better himself, or, from visiting supporters, the feisty midfielder Steve Hunt?

READING V CHELSEA: record books:

Chelsea are looking to extend our unbeaten league run to 15 games (seven away) since our defeat at Liverpool in January. That defeat is our only one in 28 Premier League outings.

Chelsea won our first meeting at the Madejski Stadium in the 2003/04 League Cup with a Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink goal in the 56th minute.Steve Coppell is aiming to add to his two previous victories in his 19 games against Chelsea, as manager of Crystal Palace and Reading. He has lost 11 and drawn six of the other 17.

The Royals have entered their second term in the top-flight on the back of a very successful pre-season. After losing to River Plate by the only goal, they then beat Lyon and Shimizu by the same score in the Peace Cup in Korea and followed that with three wins against Brentford (6-1), Brighton (3-1) and Wolves (3-2).

Before last season, our only previous league meetings were in the old Second Division in four successive seasons between 1926 and 1930. Chelsea's only victory at Reading's old ground, Elm Park, was on the opening day in 1927 when goals from Jackie Crawford and Jimmy Thompson secured a 2-1 win. Of the remaining three games, Reading won two and there was one draw.

Chelsea and Reading have met once in the FA Cup in 1921. Following a goalless draw at Elm Park, the teams drew 2-2 in the replay at Stamford Bridge and in the second replay again at the Bridge Chelsea ran out 3-1 victors.

In more recent times we have been drawn together twice in the League Cup. In 1987/88 Reading won 5-4 on aggregate. John Hollins was manager of a Chelsea side including Steve Clarke and Kerry Dixon. Chelsea old boys Steve Francis and Paul Canoville played for Reading.

This is only Reading's second season in the top flight in their 136-year history. They are the oldest team in the top flight this year. Last season, their first, they were eighth with 55 points. Their record at the Madejski was won 11 including 3-1 against Tottenham, drawn two including Man Utd, lost six scoring 29 and conceding 20.

In finishing eighth Reading achieved the highest place in their first Premier League season after promotion since Ipswich managed fifth in 2000/01.

Reading's last six games

Apr 14 Fulham (h) W 1-0

Apr 21 Bolton (a) W 3-1

Apr 30 Newcastle (h) W 1-0

May 5 Watford (h) L 0-2

May 13 Blackburn (a) D 3-3

Aug 12 Man Utd (a) D 0-0