Reading FC Match Report: 2013/2014 Season - Championship
DERBY 1 READING 3
Reading: P Pogrebnyak (47, 62), N Blackman (90).
Derby: W Hughes (80).
Reading recording their most comfortable win of the season with a 3-1 away win at Derby County in the Championship.
It was the first time Reading had won by more than a single goal and the first game where Reading looked good for the win.
Having won with the last action of the game against Leeds United, Reading wrapped this one up slightly earlier. However, despite all those positive signs, it was still
the home side that dominated the first half with Derby having the better of the play but failing to score. McCarthy wasn't under massive pressure, but when he was called into action
he made a couple of decent saves to keep the scores at 0-0 at the break. Robson Kanu had Reading's best chance of the first half but his effort failed to hit the target from McCleary's cross.
The second half saw Reading much improved as they scored three times to record a deserved victory and make it two wins from two. Reading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak has struggled this
season to get minutes on the pitch, and therefore had failed to score all season, until picking up a second half double. They were both reasonably easy efforts for Pogrebnyak but he
put in an excellent performance for the Royals after serving a suspension against Leeds. His first came from an Obita free-kick and was a close range finish and his second he
had a defensive mistake to thank for. With ten minutes left to play Derby pulled one back - it as the first goal Reading had conceeded in nearly four whole games. Blackman restored
Reading's two goal advantage right at the end with a decent finish, he second of the season, as Reading broke away.
The Royals move up to just two points off second place in the table as the season suddenly begins to take shape. With Jem Karacan out injured, Adkins shuffled his side around from the 1-0 win over Leeds at the Madejski. Chris Baird made an solid debut, playing over an hour after completing his move to Reading the day before the game. Jordan Obita also made his league debut for the Royals and will be pleased with his performance.
This Championship game took place 4079 days ago in the 2013/2014 season.