'Grim,' was one reporter's take on the spectacle. 'Dire,' said another.
Even Tony Mowbray used the word 'dull' - three times - in his post-match debrief, although he was talking about his team's lack of sharpness rather than the entertainment value. Yes, Sunderland's game against Reading was a tough watch.
Partly because of Sunderland's dullness, as Mowbray described it, but mainly because of Reading's interminable timewasting tactics as they took an age over every goal-kick, free-kick, and throw-in. The first half, in particular, was a bore-fest - not that Reading boss Paul Ince would have a word said against his team's attempts to send the watching Wearside public to sleep.
