MX23RW : Saturday, April 20 14:21:36| >> :600:116100:116100:
[monks data]
Reading logo
Championship | Gameweek 7
Oct 24, 2020 at 3pm UK
Madejski Stadium
Rotherham logo

Reading
3 - 0
Rotherham

Meite (41', 79'), Joao (90+2' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-0)

Wood (90'), Ihiekwe (90+2')

Reading extend unbeaten start with dominant win over Rotherham

Lucas Joao added a late third as the Royals claimed a 3-0 win over Rotherham.

Championship leaders Reading stretched their unbeaten run since the start of season to seven games with a 3-0 victory over Rotherham at Madejski Stadium.

Rotherham dominated the first half, without creating any real chances, and were punished when Yakou Meite fired the hosts ahead in the 41st minute.

The South Yorkshire side were also impressive after the interval but Reading added further late goals from Meite and Lucas Joao to claim a somewhat flattering win.

Reading had moved to the top of the table with a hard-earned 1-0 win over struggling Wycombe on Tuesday.

Rotherham had been unbeaten on the road, after securing a win and two draws on their travels, but had not won in their past five matches.

Reading began sluggishly and allowed the visitors plenty of possession going forward.

Wes Harding made a surging run along the right wing and cut into the home area only to see his attempted cross deflected behind.

Rotherham continued to press, with full-back Joe Mattock particularly influential when raiding down the left flank.

And from a well-struck low cross from Mattock, home goalkeeper Rafael had to make a smart stop at his near post to snuff out the danger.

Mattock then had the first shot of the game by either side – in the 24th minute – but his effort from the edge of the box was blocked.

Michael Smith also nodded wide from a Harding cross.

Reading at least defended solidly, and they were rewarded when they went in front four minutes before the break.

Ovie Ejaria crossed from the left and Meite, after chesting the ball down, drove through the legs of Rotherham goalkeeper Jamal Blackman.

It was Reading's first attempt on goal.

Rotherham, as they had earlier in the game, started brightly in the second half.

Florian Jozefzoon should have done better when he tricked his way into the Reading area.

But instead of taking a clear shot when the chance arose, he decided to pass the ball and failed to find a team-mate.

Reading immediately showed more attacking intent than they had in the entire first period.

But they were still unable to create much up front and were fortunate not to concede a Rotherham equaliser through substitute George Hirst.

With his first touch after coming on, Hirst sent a firm shot goalwards, only for home skipper Liam Moore to clear it off the line.

Reading then as good as sealed their sixth win of the campaign in the 79th minute.

Moore helped on a Michael Olise corner and Meite pounced with a spectacular overhead kick to beat Blackman.

In stoppage time, Rotherham defender Michael Ihiekwe brought down Lucas Joao in the area and Reading's top scorer notched his seventh goal of the season from the spot.

ID:419638: cacheID:419638:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5232:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Boro boss Neil Warnock on September 11, 2020
Read Next:
Saturday's Championship predictions including Cardiff City vs. Middlesbrough
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CPortsmouth442713475393694
2Derby CountyDerby442681075373886
3Bolton WanderersBolton442411981483383
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough432481184562880
5Barnsley4421121179601975
6Oxford UnitedOxford Utd4521111377552274
7Lincoln CityLincoln4419141163372671
8Blackpool4420101460431770
9Stevenage4518141355451068
10Leyton Orient441711165053-362
11Northampton TownNorthampton44178195563-859
12Wycombe WanderersWycombe431513155553258
13Exeter CityExeter441610184358-1558
14Bristol Rovers44169195264-1257
15Wigan AthleticWigan441810165955456
16Charlton AthleticCharlton441119146363052
17Reading441511186365-250
18Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury44138233363-3047
19Cambridge UnitedCambridge431210213859-2146
20Burton Albion441110233662-2643
21Cheltenham TownCheltenham43118243761-2441
22Port Vale441010244172-3140
23Fleetwood TownFleetwood44813234572-2737
RCarlisle UnitedCarlisle4479284076-3630


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!