2 mins Dicke shot 0-1

13 mins Shaughnessy shot 0-2 

42 mins Armstrong shot 1-2

44 mins Ameobi header 2-2

Half time: Newcastle 2 Reading 2

tbc mins Armstrong shot 3-2

75 mins Ben Arfa shot 4-2

tbc mins Armstrong shot 5-2

Full time: Newcastle 5 Reading 2

United's reserves gifted the Royals a two goal start on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon, before a hat trick from Adam Armstrong, one from Sammy Ameobi and a beauty from Hatem Ben Arfa gave the watching Alan Pardew food for thought.

A sunny afternoon at Whitley Park found the visitors in equally bright form and they were quickly two goals to the good through Rob Dicke and Conor Shaughnessy.

As was the case against Bolton in a season-opening 3-3 draw last week, United's solution to their defensive woes was to go on the offensive, Ben Arfa finding Armstrong to halve the arrears.

And it was soon 2-2, as Sammy Ameobi headed in from Hatem's corner for a second goal in as many U21 games. 

Into the second half and Gael Bigirimana rattled the woodwork, Armstrong got his second of the game and Ameobi hit a post as the Royals were rocked.

The goal of the game then saw Ben Arfa waltz past four players for his first competitive striker since a penalty conversion at Crystal Palace back in December 2013.

A solo effort from Armstrong then completed his hat-trick, rounding off a resounding win for Peter Beardsley's side.