Lucas Joao has scored eight goals in his past eight Championship games
Lucas Joao and John Swift produced a goal and an assist apiece as Reading's attacking firepower proved too much for 10-man Coventry.
The Sky Blues started the stronger, with Callum O'Hare's low shot lacking conviction and Leo Ostigard glancing a free header wide before Joao held off a defender to slam home his 17th goal of the season and put the hosts ahead.
Veljko Paunovic's Royals then took control with Ovie Ejaria hitting the post after a mesmeric dribble and Portugal striker Joao diverting Tom Holmes' cross wide - but Andy Rinomhota doubled their lead straight after the break with a drilled effort from just outside the box.
Ostigard went close with two more headers for Coventry but Kyle McFadzean's sending off for two yellow cards halted their momentum and from the subsequent free-kick John Swift wrapped things up for Reading with a fine, dipping 30-yard strike.
Victory for Reading moved them above Brentford and Bournemouth - who lost at Derby - and to within three points of an automatic promotion spot, while Coventry slip below their tenants Birmingham into 18th.
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Joao's opener came against the run of play, the front man taking Swift's lofted through ball on his chest before showing strength to ease Dominic Hyam out of the way and finish with aplomb.
Former Liverpool and Rangers midfielder Ejaria beat four players with amazing footwork on his way to hitting the inside of the near post and it was his air-kick from Joao's cutback that allowed Rinomhota to find the bottom corner on his 100th Royals appearance.
Ejaria also drew the foul from McFadzean which saw the visiting skipper dismissed and Swift's powerful free-kick past Ben Wilson was to be his last touch before being replaced.
Reading should have had a fourth, with substitute Sam Baldock slotting just wide after sprinting through on goal, while Max Biamou headed against the post as Coventry chased a consolation.
Michael Olise was forced off with a shoulder injury just after the hour mark but that was the only dampener on an exciting display by the home side.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsReading
Formation 4-2-3-1
33Cabral Barbosa29Holmes4Morrison5McIntyre3Richards8Rinomhota28Laurent7Olise10Swift14Ejaria18Lucas João
- 33Cabral Barbosa29HolmesBooked at 29minsSubstituted forPontes Estevesat 45'minutes4MorrisonBooked at 90mins5McIntyre3Richards8RinomhotaSubstituted forBaldockat 78'minutes28Laurent7OliseSubstituted forAlukoat 64'minutes10SwiftSubstituted forSemedoat 73'minutes14EjariaSubstituted forTetekat 78'minutes18Lucas JoãoBooked at 87mins
Substitutes
- 2Pontes Esteves9Baldock22Southwood24Aluko30Semedo34Tetek44East46Onen50Camara
Coventry
Formation 3-4-3
13Wilson2Østigard5McFadzean15Hyam23Dabo38Hamer25James21McCallum11O'Hare12Gyökeres26Shipley
- 13Wilson2ØstigardBooked at 80minsSubstituted forThompsonat 87'minutes5McFadzeanBooked at 71mins15Hyam23DaboSubstituted forDa Costaat 79'minutes38Hamer25JamesSubstituted forSheafat 79'minutes21McCallum11O'Hare12GyökeresSubstituted forBiamouat 59'minutes26ShipleySubstituted forBapagaat 87'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Allen9Biamou14Sheaf20Bakayoko22Camp27Thompson29Da Costa33Kastaneer41Bapaga
Referee:Dean WhitestoneMatch StatsHome TeamReadingAway TeamCoventryPossessionHome45%Away55%ShotsHome12Away7Shots on TargetHome6Away2CornersHome0Away5FoulsHome12Away17Live TextPost update
Match ends, Reading 3, Coventry City 0.
90'+6'Full Time
Second Half ends, Reading 3, Coventry City 0.
90'+2'Post update
Foul by Callum O'Hare (Coventry City).
90'+2'Post update
Omar Richards (Reading) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90'Post update
Attempt missed. Maxime Biamou (Coventry City) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Gustavo Hamer with a cross following a set piece situation.
90'Booking
Michael Morrison (Reading) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'Post update
Maxime Biamou (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'Post update
Foul by Michael Morrison (Reading).
89'Post update
Gustavo Hamer (Coventry City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
89'Post update
Foul by Dejan Tetek (Reading).
88'Post update
Ben Sheaf (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88'Post update
Foul by Dejan Tetek (Reading).
87'Booking
Lucas João (Reading) is shown the yellow card.
87'Substitution
Substitution, Coventry City. Will Bapaga replaces Jordan Shipley.
87'Substitution
Substitution, Coventry City. Jordan Thompson replaces Leo Østigard.
84'Post update
Attempt saved. Josh Laurent (Reading) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
83'Post update
Foul by Leo Østigard (Coventry City).
83'Post update
Sam Baldock (Reading) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
82'Post update
Gustavo Hamer (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82'Post update
Foul by Dejan Tetek (Reading).
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Source: bbc.com