Portsmouth got back to winning ways at the Madejski Stadium with a 2-0 win over Reading, who were forced to play nearly the entire game with ten men after Ibrahima Sonko was sent off early on.

Goals from Sol Campell (pictured) and John Utaka gave Pompey all three points, although even with a man advantage, Harry Redknapp's side made hard work of the win at times.

Reading's new year got off to the worst possible start when defender Sonko received his marching orders just three minutes into the game. That the sending off came so soon after the opening whistle was unfortunate for the hosts - and for the game as a spectacle - but referee Mike Dean was given no other choice and was justified in showing a red card after Sonko felled the marauding Benajni as he bore down on goal.

But the overly-confident Niko Kranjcar passed up the opportunity to put Pompey in front, hitting the resulting spot kick against an upright. Reading scrambled the rebound to safety.

But parity was not to last much longer, Campbell capitalising on a horrific blunder from Marcus Hahnemann to net his first goal of the season. The American keeper allowed a run-of-the-mill cross slip right through his fingers and onto the head of Papa Bouba Diop who nodded goalwards for Campbell to see the ball across the line.

A man down, and with Andre Bikey on for Bobby Convey who had sliced a chance wide moments before his withdrawal, Reading understandably struggled to threaten in an attacking sense. The nearest they came in the opening period was a Kevin Doyle effort that the Irishman dragged wide of the post just before the half-time whistle.

Pompey, on the other hand, dominated proceedings and could easily have increased their lead before the opening period was up; Diop should have done better with a free header on 41 minutes and Benjani's stoppage time header cannoned back off the bar.

But after the restart, Reading looked a different side and managed to play with more composure; early on they even enjoyed the better possession as Pompey lost some of their momentum.

But the Royals could not find an equaliser, even though Steve Harper came close with a volley and Khalifa Cisse saw a spectacular overhead kick well blocked by the Portsmouth defence.

The hosts were then put to the sword, as Utaka effectively wrapped up the victory with a cool finish on 66 minutes after demonstrating all his pace in beating Nicky Shorey to a long through ball.

It was a cruel blow for Reading, who had done well to still be in with a shout of getting something from the game at that late stage. But two goals down and it was all over, leaving Coppell to contemplate what has been a poor festive period.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport