Federici makes howler on return

Australia's No.2 goalkeeper waited more than half a decade to make his third English Premier League appearance only to produce a howler in Reading's 1-1 home draw with Stoke City on the opening day.

Reading gained promotion to the English top-flight on the back of its miserly defence last season with Federici a key component in the club taking out the Championship.

However in the 34th minute, Stoke's Michael Kightly found time and space and his strike took a slight deflection off a Reading player and Federici allowed the ball to slip through his arms.

Fortunately for Federici and Reading, team-mate Adam Le Fondre's 90th-minute penalty provided the home team with a point in its first EPL match for four years.

Federici, who made two EPL appearances off the bench in 2006-2007, this month signed a deal with Reading through to the end of the 2015 season.

"We all make errors," Reading manager Brian McDermott said.

"I make errors most days. He's a great character, he works really, really hard each and every day.

"He's a top professional and he's saved us many, many times, and he will do in the future.

"He was upset but that's part of life.

"You have to overcome your disappointments quickly and he'll do that."

Brett Holman overcame an ankle injury to make his EPL debut in Aston Villa's 1-0 loss at West Ham United.

Holman produced some encouraging signs for his new club before being subbed off just after the hour mark.

Meanwhile, newly-capped Australia international Ryan McGowan had an eventful day in Heart of Midlothian's 2-2 draw with Inverness in the Scottish Premier League.

Richie Foran's reckless challenge on the Australian led to the dismissal of the Inverness player on the stroke of half-time.

McGowan, who made his international debut off the bench in Australia's 3-1 loss to Scotland in Edinburgh in midweek, had a chance to restore a two-goal lead midway through the second half but dragged his shot wide.