Reading to the top of the Championship table in the process. On 13 April he scored twice as Reading beat promotion rivals Southampton 3–1, significantly boosting Reading's chances of promotion back to the Premier League. This also increased their title hopes by pushing a 3-point margin with 3 games to go. On 21 April, he came off the bench to score in a 2–2 draw against Crystal Palace, with the point helping to secure the Championship title. 2012–13 season On 18 August 2012, he scored on his Premier League debut during a 1–1 home draw with Stoke City at the Madejski Stadium, scoring a 90th-minute penalty to rescue a point for Reading. On 17 November 2012 he helped Reading to their first Premier League win of the season, netting both goals in a 2–1 victory over Everton. Le Fondre's next goal came in a 4–3 home defeat against his boyhood club Manchester United, after he headed home from a corner to make it 2–2. Le Fondre also scored against Arsenal on 17 December, but Reading were defeated 5–2 and remained at the foot of the Premier League table. He scored twice in a 3–1 win at Crawley Town in the FA Cup on 5 January 2013, and followed it up a week later, scoring a penalty in a 3–2 win over West Bromwich Albion, having been 2–0 down earlier in the game. Le Fondre's good form continued when he notched two goals against Newcastle United after coming off the bench on 19 January 2013 in a match that brought Reading their first away win of the season. He proceeded to single-handedly bring Reading back from 2–0 down to draw with Chelsea on 30 January, scoring two late goals, earning Reading a much needed point in their race against the drop. Le Fondre's five goals in January helped him to his and Reading's first ever Premier League Player of the Month award. Le Fondre ended a goal drought by coming off the bench to round Mark Schwarzer and slot home the third goal in Reading's 4–2 away win at Fulham. This also meant Le Fondre clinched the record for most Premier League goals in a season as a substitute. On 14 May, he was named Reading F.C. Player of the Season. He also scored in Reading's 4–2 defeat at West Ham United on the final day of the season, when he