THIS match saw the irresistible force meet the apparently immoveable object.
Reading, possibly the most attacking team in the Championship, versus Sheffield United's previously impregnable defence.
Something had to give and unfortunately for Kevin Blackwell's side it was their eight-month unbeaten home record as first-half strikes from Kalifa Cisse and Kevin Doyle saw the visitors become the first team to win at Bramall Lane since Charlton Athletic cruised to a 2-0 victory in March.
The scoreline reads the same but Reading's afternoon was by no means as comfortable as the one the Londoners, who play host to United at The Valley on Saturday, enjoyed during the early days of Blackwell's reign.
Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann was forced to make some smart saves, most notably from James Beattie, as United refused to go down without a fight.
However, as impressive as Reading were, it is impossible to escape the conclusion that United contributed to their own downfall by granting them the time and space, particularly before the interval, upon which the likes of Doyle and Stephen Hunt thrive.
"Reading have got quality all over," admitted Blackwell, who went on to describe his "anger" at his own forward's failure to exploit a flurry of opportunities immediately after the re-start.
"And so they didn't need a leg up from us.
"We didn't take the chances that came our way, which is disappointing especially as, when you look back, Paddy (Kenny) hasn't really had an awful lot to do.
"For some reason, we dropped too deep at the start and seemed to show them too much respect, which is disappointing considering how well we've been doing.
"They like to pass and move and we stood off.
"We learned at Arsenal (when United were beaten 6-0 in the Carling Cup) what happens if you stand off people who can pass.
"I said beforehand that both Steve (Reading boss Coppell) and I would learn a lot about our players here.
"If our efforts had gone in then it would've been an absolute cracker.
"What, hopefully, we've learned is that we shouldn't fear anybody and that we've got the mental fortitude to come back."
United will discover whether or not Reading truly are the most formidable proposition in the Championship next week when leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers arrive in South Yorkshire.
Coppell's world-weary demeanour suggests he is in charge of Dog and Duck FC rather than a collection of gifted individuals seeimingly destined for the Premier League.
It is difficult to imagine Wolves replicating the same creativity and fluency Reading demonstrated during the opening exchanges here.
Make no mistake, the third-placed side deserved their win.
But United, who slipped to fifth, also contributed to a match which for long spells was far to open for either managers' liking.
Cisse broke the deadlock when he powered the ball beyond Kenny.
Doyle, afforded far too much room on the edge of the penalty box, was the architect and capped a fine individual display by converting Hunt's free-kick 39 minutes later.
In between, United, who saw Danny Webber withdraw before kick-off after tweaking a hamstring during training, lacked cohesion and shape, but recovered their poise enough to allow Anthony Stokes and Matthew Kilgallon go close before improving dramatically in the second half.
Chris Morgan's commanding shift at the heart of United's rearguard was, following that now infamous return to Barnsley, a tribute to both his concentration and character while substitute Billy Sharp gave the side extra impetus going forward, although he should have done better after twice finding himself with a clear view of the target during the final stages.
Beattie, a peripheral figure before the break, nearly beat Hahnemann with a clipped finish from Sharp's cross as United grew in stature before hitting the foot of the post after good work by Stokes.
"That's only the second time we've lost here since I came," Blackwell added.
"I don't like it, I hate it in fact. It's a horrible feeling, so hopefully, just as they did before, the lads won't want to experience it again for a long time.
"But it's important not to over-react."
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