Felix Magath's side are yet to win in the league this season and have taken just one point from a possible 18 as they struggle to adapt to life in the second tier.
Glenn Murray showed his Championship pedigree with the opening goal on his Reading debut and Fulham's task was made even tougher when Matt Smith was sent off for a lunge on Hope Akpan.
With leaders Nottingham Forest playing Derby County on Sunday, Norwich City moved level with Stuart Pearce's men courtesy of a 4-2 victory over Cardiff City.
Neil Adams' men found themselves 2-0 behind at half-time after goals from Joe Ralls and Aron Gunnarsson gave Cardiff an excellent start.
Yoni Buyens scored the only goal for Charlton Athletic as they maintained their unbeaten start with a 1-0 victory over Watford at The Valley and Brentford edged a five-goal thriller against Brighton and Hove Albion 3-2.
Blackburn Rovers came out on top in their Lancashire derby with Wigan Athletic at Ewood Park, the hosts winning 3-1 thanks to Ben Marshall's double and a Jordan Rhodes strike, while Ivan Ramis missed a penalty for Wigan.
