Wolves 2 Reading 0 - Report and pictures

The history books will show us that Wolves beat Reading 2-0 on August 13, 2016.

But what they won't convey is the enthusiasm, the vitality and the exuberant vigour with which the players approached their task - and with which Wolves' excited supporters celebrated.

Nine of the XI who started were here last season - but this very much had the feel of a 'new dawn', just as it said in the fancy artwork depicted on the free clappers Wolves gave out to help generate a feverish atmosphere.

They didn't need the clappers. Wolves' fans created a better atmosphere than heard during any home game in 2015/16, loudly singing Zenga's name throughout.

And they did so because their team played some bloody good football. The harrassing and haranguing of Reading's defenders in a high-pressure offensive tactic worked wonders.

Joao Teixeira also worked wonders with his box of tricks, flicks and skills that had the fans on their feet time and again.

Wolves were brisk in possession, creative and tenacious. They forced Reading into submission and while the scoreline didn't reflect the atmosphere and the jubilant feel of Molineux, it also didn't reflect the amount of chances Wolves created, with only a fine Ali Al Habsi performance denying them a rout.

There's so much work still to be done - and no doubt a few bumps along the way - but if this is a sign of things to come then there's the potential for a special season at Molineux.

Zenga made a couple of surprise changes, dropping Kortney Hause and leaving out Jack Price, with Conor Coady continuing at right back and Dominic Iorfa starting at centre half.

His team began on the front foot and soon had Reading in trouble.

The front three of Joe Mason, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Joao Teixeira were noticeably putting pressure on the Reading defenders high up the field - and the rattled Royals back line, preferring to play the ball out as is Jaap Stam's preferred style, didn't like it one bit.

It was a fast-paced counter that led to Wolves' best early chance though, with Teixeira playing Mason into the area - he could have shot first-time but cut inside coolly before seeing his shot blocked by Ali Al Habsi at point-blank range.

Teixeira was deeply impressing on the left, gliding past challenges and playing clever flicks to bring in his team mates.

Wolves were playing direct, quick football and created another chance when Batth played to David Edwards, to Mason and then to Bodvarsson who drilled wide from 18 yards.

Then Bodvarsson, starting with his back to goal, rounded his man at pace before crossing for Teixeira who scuffed well wide.

Reading threatened sporadically but the services of Carl Ikeme weren't required with Batth and Iorfa providing a sturdy buffer.

Wolves had been the better side by a distance - and ramped things up before half time to hammer home their superiority.

They somehow didn't take the lead just before half time when, after Teixeira won the ball back from a dithering Al Habi, he teed up Saville whose 15-yarder was brilliantly tipped over the bar by the Reading keeper.

Wolves weren't to be denied a minute later though. The corner came out to Doherty on the left of the area - he cut inside and lashed an unstoppable drive from inside the box which even Al Habi couldn't stop.

It was just reward for a thoroughly first half of league football at Molineux under Zenga.

And the scoreline began to reflect Wolves' dominance immediately after half time when Zenga's team immediately doubled their lead.

It was a breathtakingly simple goal - Saville's inswinging corner was met by Mason in the six yard box who barely had to jump as he nodded past Al Habsi.

It was all Wolves and the excellent Bodvarsson almost made it 3-0 when he powered into the box and fired over.

Reading were seeing plenty of the ball but with Wolves defending and attacking with real tenacity the Royals were finding it impossible to make any headway.

A tame John Swift shot and a few corners were all they had to show for their efforts, with Ikeme earning enthusiastic applause from his boss for confidently claiming successive flag kicks.

Then back came Wolves, with two golden chances to further increase their lead.

Teixeira created the first by himself with some astonishing footwork - holding off the challenge of one defender as he jinked along the byline and then dancing inside another before firing over from a tight angle.

And the Portuguese maestro was involved yet again when he won back the ball in Reading's box and played to Bodvarsson, who found Mason, but the striker's shot was weak and saved by the recovering Al Habsi.

Teixeira was then withdrawn to a rapturous ovation from the 20,000 exuberant home fans who had drooled over his quite sumptuous performance.

Mason was afforded a similar reception as he made way for Jack Price in the dying minutes.

By then Wolves were breathtakingly comfortable, and Ikeme still redundant.

Bodvarsson drew another fine save from Al Habsi, who blocked his diving header from a Price free kick, with a goal from the new cult hero striker the only thing missing from an afternoon to remember.

Wolves (4-3-3): Ikeme; Coady, Iorfa, Batth (c), Doherty; Edwards, Evans, Saville; Mason (Price, 84), Bodvarsson, Teixeira (Wallace, 71). Subs: Lonergan, Hause, Deslandes, Henry, Costa.

Goals: Doherty (42), Mason (47)

Reading (4-3-3): Al Habsi, Gunter, Van den Berg, McShane (c), Obita Williams, Evans, Swift (Rakels, 77); McCleary (Harriott, 71), Kermorgant, Beerens (Meite, 62). Subs: Jaakkola, Cooper, Kelly, Watson.

Attendance: 20,425

Referee: Darren Bond