Joel Pereira: 6
Steady in the first half, collecting a few shots that came down the middle. Got down well to his right to stop a long low drive from Oxford United in the 63rd minute.
Deserved much better from his defence for both goals, and with one going in off the post and one going in at close range, it’s tough to find much blame for Pereira.
Udoka Godwin Malife: 6
Had a nasty moment for the second goal but was otherwise decent. Failed to track his runner across the box for that second goal, allowing Missanga an easy finish.
Had some
great moments in transition in the first half, getting high up the field and into the box. Skipped past the Oxford full-back before feeding Josh Stokes for a shot in a fine moment at the end of the first half.
Paudie O’Connor: 6
Busy out of possession as he always is, stepping to balls and allowing Dorsett to play the covering position.
Stepped too hard in the second half and was booked for a fifth time this season for a late slide. Will be suspended for the next league game as a result.
Jeriel Dorsett: 6
Made the initial mistake for Oxford’s best chance of the half, getting sucked toward the ball and letting the pass go between him and Roberts. Recovered well to help shield the ball to Pereira.
Won a foul for Reading in a good spot high up on the left side toward the end of the first half.
Stabbed a backheel at the ball during a goalmouth scramble, and was unlucky not to see his creative effort find the back of the net.
Protected the ball better than many around him for Reading, completing 80% of his passes on a night when many players struggled to hit 50%.
Haydon Roberts: 6
Did a fantastic job of drawing fouls in the early stages when Oxford pressed high up the field aggressively. Made a goal-saving intervention when Oxford almost had a clean shot on goal at close range.
Faded in the second half Strode inside on the ball in the late stages and earned Sibley a yellow card when he was taken down.
Andy Rinomhota: 5
Helped Reading to drive the ball out of their half a few times in the first half when they were struggling to pass out.
Worked hard off the ball as well in the first half, having to do more of the dogswork when Wing is his midfield partner. Frayed a bit when pulled out of the structure.
Caught behind the ball a few too many times especially in the second half, leading to him having to foul a few times. That eventually saw Rinomhota booked for a fifth time this season and he will miss the next league game.
Lewis Wing: 4
Suffered a bad moment when he failed to make a challenge on O’Donkor for the first goal, letting the shot travel through his legs.
Did deliver a lot of good set pieces today, providing chances for Marriott, O’Connor and Rinomhota from corners alone.
In danger of becoming a luxury player though, given that his set-piece delivery is excellent, but his open-play workrate is flagging. Wing still has more vision and ability than 21 other players in every game he plays, but his mobility does seem to be limiting him. Made just four defensive contributions today.
Lost the ball cheaply after one of his corners was cleared out, conceding a counter-attack to Oxford with Reading’s defenders behind the ball. In an unfortunate image, smashed a late chance to shoot from outside of the box well over the bar.
Kyreece Lisbie: 6
Found himself with very light marking in the opening 10 minutes, and was almost able to capitalise, slinging one low cross into the box that deserved a Reading boot.
Oxford tightened up after Lisbie helped created a second chance by earning a free-kick, limiting his space for the rest of the first period
Strode forward through the middle toward the end of the first period, beating a man and laying off the ball for a shot on Marriott’s left foot.
Kept working hard after half-time, earning Reading a corner with a nice dribble down the right flank. Booked unnecessarily at the end of the game for a late challenge.
Josh Stokes: 4
Couldn’t find much time on the ball so had to influence the game off it. Raised the temperature by standing over a man he had fouled midway through the first half. Thoroughly rattled the Oxford captain Brannagan in the process.
Eventually booked at the end of the half for leaving one on Brannagan. Found space on the edge of the box for a shot, but hooked his left footed effort well over the bar.
Put in a more muted performance in the second half and was hooked in a full switch of the attack shortly before Oxford’s goals.
Daniel Kyerewaa: 5
Almost got a toe onto Lisbie’s low cross in the opening minutes of the game, in what would have been a perfect return to the team.
Did really well at the start of the second half to anticipate a low cross in the box, clearing it out to Marriott.
Made another great interception at the other end of the pitch on the hour mark, jumping on a clearance from the goalie and almost springing Stokes loose in the box.
Jack Marriott: 6
Picked up his first start since his recent injury and continued to do what he does: generate shots for Reading.
Tried his first shot of the day with an ambitious overhead kick. Stung the goalkeeper’s palms with a strong effort on his left foot at the end of the first half.
Met a second-half corner at the near post but couldn’t keep the headed effort down. Withdrawn on the 70-minute mark to avoid further injury concerns but is far superior to any other player Reading can call upon up top.
Subs
Jacob Brown: 4
Hooked the ball off the bar shortly after coming on, unlucky not to be rewarded with his fifth goal of the season. Couldn’t find the ball in the box after that though, failing to get another shot away.
Caught out leaving the back post exposed for the second Oxford goal. After getting wound up in an arm fight with his man to mark, Brown ended up not facing the right way when the ball arrived in the box.
Jamie Reid: 5
Brought on to help Reading find a winner but immediately had his assignment changed to “find an equaliser”.
Unable to really affect that change, touching the ball only five times in the match. Got closest to the goal sliding in to meet a cross late on, but couldn’t find a way through the bundle of Oxford and Reading bodies.
Randell Williams: N/A
Went out to the left to replace kyerey: the man who stole his job tonight. Didn’t do much to suggest that was the wrong decision but had very limited time on the field to make an impact.
Charlie Savage: N/A
Replaced Rinomhota late on but was unable to get onto the ball much with Oxford looking to see the game out.
Average: 5.3/10
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