Stevenage defender Nathan Thompson was sent off for a second yellow card in the 22nd minute and Reading took advantage when Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan nodded home in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time.
Ehibhatiomhan, 20, tapped in his second goal - and fourth of the campaign - in the 57th minute to secure Reading's second successive victory.
However, Stevenage manager Steve Evans criticised ref Anthony Backhouse after the MATCH S sending off of READING v ST defender NaShots on t Shots off than Thompson early on in the game.
Stevenage had their opened league with season three successive wins but were rocked when Thompson received a second yellow, then red, for a late challenge on Harvey Knibbs.
They did respond positively, with home keeper David Button having to make fine saves to deny Aaron Pressley and Jordan Roberts.
Reading, deducted one point by the EFL on Wednesday for financial breaches last season, gradually regained control.
And they were rewarded when Ehibhatiomhan headed home firmly from a Charlie Savage corner.
Esta historia es de la edición August 20, 2023 de The Football League Paper.
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Esta historia es de la edición August 20, 2023 de The Football League Paper.
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