McDermott pleased with Royals' progress

Brian McDermott was relieved Reading did not join the list of Barclays Premier League casualties after his team strolled to a 4-0 FA Cup fourth-round win over Sheffield United.

With the Royals sitting just inside the Barclays Premier League relegation zone, many had marked this fixture as a potential upset, but the hosts' clinical finishing ensured they romped to victory against the npower League One visitors.

"If you look at the results a couple of big teams have gone out and we are thankful we are not one of them," the Reading manager said.

Copyright (c) PA Sport 2013, All Rights Reserved.