City 1 Reading 2
Leicester almost held on for a draw in this competitive and entertaining match, but in truth Reading did enough to deserve all three points.
City lined up with the same starting eleven as against Coventry, with the only substantive change being new loan-signing Spearing on the bench. Reading, too, adopted a 4-3-3 formation, with Long as their target man. They played in white shirts and light green shorts – a combination presumably designed to mimic their sponsor's corporate colours: but the rumour that the team arrived in an Ocado van had – I am sure – no substance.
The first 15 minutes were fairly even, with City having marginally the better of it and creating three half-chances. But in the 16th minute, Kebe easily outpaced McGivern through the centre to get one-on-one with Weale, who did well to drive the Reading man wide. The danger seemed to be receding, but the City defenders stood off Kebe, giving him time to turn and score past Weale from a tight angle 6-yards out: 1-0 to Reading.
City kept their composure, despite the goal, and King shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box within a minute of the restart. Reading's packed midfield continued to have the measure of City who, whilst they had more of the ball, still could only create half-chances….
Just after the half-hour, Reading should have gone two up, Weale parrying a shot from a free kick straight to Mills whose fierce shot appeared to cannon off two City defenders on the goal line. It was the same, Kop end, goal as King scored in against Coventry – but this time the linesman judged that the ball did not cross the line and kept his flag down. That was the correct decision, but it was another very good chance for Reading.
Three minutes later, Kebe found his way behind the City defence again, but this time Weale and Solano combined to block his shot for a corner.
In the final 10 minutes of the half, City had their most dominant period of the match, which produced its reward in the 41st minute when Griffin slipped on the half way line, leaving Dyer free to chase a long through-ball, then cross from the left to pick out Waghorn who headed home, unmarked, from 10 yards out: 1-1.
The goal boosted City even more, and they finished the half in very good shape – with Waghorn producing an outstanding save from Federici, following another good cross by Dyer.
City will have felt pleased with the score line at half time. Whilst Reading's defence was a little tentative at times, overall the visitors had the better chances and looked very quick and threatening on the break.
City started well in the second half, but again could not create any good chances. In the 53rd minute, Kebe beat McGivern to the ball yet again, and his cross left Sigurdsson with only Weale to beat, but he shot over the bar from close range.
Shortly afterwards, Dyer and Griffin tangled. The way I saw it, Griffin held on to Dyer as they both lay on the ground, Dyer then shaped a sly kick at Griffin (but missed); the two then stood and grappled with each other until players from both sides intervened to separate them. Whilst the City faithful were not happy, I felt that the referee's decision to give a yellow card to both of them was correct.
The game restarted with that rarity: a contested drop ball, this was swiftly followed by Tabb making a robust challenge on Waghorn from behind. I thought it a foul, the referee didn't – but in any case Tabb clearly fell very awkwardly in making the challenge, and the City players nearby were urgently signally for the physio to come on well before the referee stopped the game. Tabb was stretchered off, clearly with a serious injury, and replaced by Gunnarsson. This was followed soon afterwards by Church replacing Howard, as both sides continued to press forwards at every opportunity.
Spearing replaced Oakley in the 71st minute. Oakley, again, had a fairly anonymous game – as he has done often this season. A couple of minutes later, Waghorn and Dyer combined well, with Dyer eventually hitting the side netting from a similar angle to that from which Kebe had scored earlier. Pearson then replaced Gallagher with N'Guessan. Gallagher, as ever, was quick and bustling throughout, but the quality of his passing was not quite up to his usual standards tonight. Reading made their final change, with Rasiak replacing Long.
Both sides were pushing forwards well now, and with 10 minutes to go City had two decent shots blocked or saved. Immediately, Reading then broke quickly to create two good chances themselves – the second requiring a very good save by Weale from a 25-yard curling shot aimed at the far corner of the goal.
Reading became more and more dominant as the match came towards its conclusion. Kebe again outwitting McGivern to set up another chance which was fired over the bar when there was only Weale to beat.
Despite Readings pace and pressure, Dyer – who had a very lively and effective match – fashioned another chance for City in the 87th minute, only for Federici to make another good save.
The fourth official signalled four minutes of added time, and Reading were still pushing forward until, in the 91st minute Solano tripped Church from behind in the box as he was about to shoot. It looked a clear penalty, and Solano was probably lucky only to get a yellow, rather than red, card. Sigurdsson made no mistake from the spot: 2-1 to Reading.
The final few minutes saw Kebe again taking on the City defence, until the final whistle ended the match.
This was an entertaining match. City played well in patches, passing the ball effectively and using Dyer's and Waghorn's pace to harry the Reading defence. Spearing looked lively, but did not have the opportunity to make much of an impact.
Reading had the better chances and probably should have scored at least twice more than they did. They attacked with great pace and directness and exploited McGivern's uncertainty and a slightly tentative performance from Morrison. Federici is an unconventional 'keeper, but made two or three fine saves.
Hobbs was, again, outstanding for City – but the star player in the match was Reading's Kebe who was quick, strong and a constant threat.
Reading have been the Championship's "form team" in recent weeks, and it was clear to see why from this performance. Their fans must be rueing their dismal start to the season. City will not be pleased to have got only one point from the past six, but they were not bad today and will play worse than this in the future and still pick up points.
City: Weale, Solano, Morrison, Hobbs, McGivern, Oakley (Spearing 71), Wellens, King, Dyer, Waghorn, Gallagher (N'Guessan 74). Subs Not Used: Logan, Brown, Howard, Adams, Kermorgant.
Reading: Federici, Griffin, Mills, Khizanishvili, Bertrand, Kebe, Tabb (Gunnarsson 61), Howard (Church 64), Sigurdsson, McAnuff, Long (Rasiak 75). Subs Not Used: Hamer, Robson-Kanu, Karacan, Pearce.
Attendance: 20,108
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation