News and Views
Poor Start Sees Royals Defeated At Home
09 December 2020
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading paid the price for a lack lustre first half performance against a well organised and physical Birmingham City side. It was a poor first half showing from the Royals in every respect. There was a marked lack of energy and creativity in midfield with Joao and Meite tightly marked Reading failed to register a shot on target before half time. The Royals defence were practising social distancing around their own penalty area and City's Toral took full advantage scoring two goals from the edge of the box leaving Reading an uphill task in the second half. Ejaria and Olise were disappointing to say the least. Revitalised by the introduction of Samedo and Esteves, Meite reduced the lead with a close range finish and then won a penalty. Joao capped an indifferent performance by failing to tuck a way the spot kick and Reading lost the momentum gained from the goal even though Dean's dismissal in conceding the penalty had reduced City to ten men for the last twenty minutes. City continued to waste time at every opportunity and broke up the play with incessant fouls all over the pitch and comfortably saw out the ten additional minutes of stoppage time to claim the points.
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