Joel Pereira: 7
Made his first save in the 37th minute with a good low stretch to his left.
So solid with crosses today. Made a determined catch from a set-play in the first half, storming out in a perfectly straight line to end any chance of danger. Dove onto the ground to stop a cross early in the second half.
Picked up a fantastic save in the second half, diving low to his right to thud a ball away with a strong hand. Followed it with a fantastic claim.
Ashqar Ahmed: 7
Started brightly – got forward well and delivered a fantastic
low cross into the six-yard box that couldn’t quite find a Royal intervention.
Really strong and accelerates quickly, able to keep Reading in possession a few times by stepping in and presenting his back to a pressing defender. Had the beating of Walters in the first half in particular.
Started the second half well, winning the ball on the edge of his box and setting Reading off on the run. Looks really promising, and may well keep his place moving forward.
Finley Burns: 5
Got good contact on his headed clearance early on, despite wheeling backwards to cover an attacker. Cut out another dangerous cross along the ground in the 18th minute.
A little less sure when he had to compete physically with Port Vale, losing a majority of his duels today. Allowed Brown to get goalside of him one-on-one from a ball over the top, almost ending in disaster.
Derrick Williams: 7
Steady in the first half, making several headed clearances away, and passing handily with Pereira and Burns.
Savvy in the late stages, getting in the way of loose balls and earning a few free-kicks to kill Port Vale’s momentum.
Made an important no-nonsense headed clearance with his body on the line in the 82nd minute, running through a scrum.
Matty Jacob: 6
Booked at the end of the first half when a mix-up in possession led to him going over the ankle of a Port Vale midfielder. As per usual saw a lot of the ball and got involved in both halves, playing into the final third a lot.
Has built up a steady relationship with Wing, often finding him in midfield when Reading are advanced in the opposition’s half.
Lewis Wing: 6
Punched some really nice balls through the lines in the first half but often in an extremely withdrawn position. Wing at points today took up the far right-back position he sometimes liked to operate from in his first season in Reading colours.
Got his first chance to shoot in the 55th minute, but dragged his shot on the turn wide.
Mostly employed to retain and calm things in possession today, but did his job without complaint.
Ben Elliott: 5
Had a shaky start, losing the ball to Walters twice in the opening two minutes. Chose to run himself into confidence, really putting a lot of effort into his press in the early stages. A little quieter though in the first half than he has been in recent weeks though and sloppier at times.
Swept a dangerous shot through the defence in first half stoppage time, but couldn’t quite push the ball far enough towards a post.
Couldn’t find a spark in the second half and was withdrawn for Doyle.
Charlie Savage: 6
Had a chance to hit the ball at the end of a counter-attack but couldn’t quite avoid the blocks. Often found the ball centrally in the first half with Wing drifting over to the right.
Given an opportunity to deliver into the box from a set play but couldn’t pick out a player at the back post.
Withdrawn for Fraser late, but worked his socks off as he usually does, and proved tough to dribble past today.
Paddy Lane: 7
Really offers a threat down his side, whipping in a fantastic ball in the 26th minute that deserved a much better contact.
Took up really good positions from Port Vale set-plays to be ready to create a fast transition with Kyerewaa several times in the first half.
Peeled off the shoulder of a centre-back who missed his header and got into the box late in the first period, but couldn’t get enough power on his low shot.
Found space at the back post in the 50th minute but couldn’t find a way through with his narrow-angle shot.
Scored his first for Reading with a really fine strike, seizing onto a loose ball that missed its original target, and whipping it into the top corner. Withdrawn shortly after for Camara.
Mark O’Mahony: 5
Did really well in a Reading counter-attack in the 19th minute, first springing Kyerewaa free before getting into the box, and laying it off for Savage to hit, despite a man on his back. Better in the opening 20 minutes at bringing his wingers into play.
Whiffed on a good chance to shoot when Lane found him in the box. Withdrawn for Marriott in the second half.
Daniel Kyerewaa: 7
Given a few chances to run at his defender in the opening 25 minutes, but couldn’t quite find a really dangerous touch to take him into a dangerous position to shoot. Made his own room to shoot in the 32nd minute but was just a little too far wide for his shot to trouble the ‘keeper much.
Provided a fantastic pass in behind seconds later that required an alert piece of goalkeeping to cut out. Grew in confidence and jinked his way down the field from another counter-attack before thrashing it into the side netting.
Picked up his first goal involvement of the season with an assist, cutting inside with real intent before laying it across… for Kamari Doyle. Instead found Paddy Lane who duly finished.
Used his speed to unsettle Port Vale’s defence, with his best moment coming when he forced the ‘keeper to kick it out of play in the 72nd minute.
Subs
Jack Marriott: 6
Made his debut and became the 1500th player to represent Reading. Calm in possession – used his first few touches to recycle the ball or find a player in space.
Kamari Doyle: 6
Had a bit more zip than Elliott in the middle of the park when he came on, and helped drive through the middle. Came close to stripping the ball from the ‘keeper in the box with a sliding tackle late in the game.
Deserved an assist with his searching ball to the back post that found Camara but also a defender.
Mamadi Camara: 6
Close to three goals in as many games when he almost tucked home Doyle’s cross, but not quite. Tenacious on the right without adding too much in his quarter of an hour on the pitch.
Jeriel Dorsett: N/A
Made a really good block on the edge of the box when Port Vale had a dangerous attack late on. Came on for Ahmed shortly after the 80-minute mark.
Liam Fraser: N/A
Replaced Savage at the same time as Dorsett’s introduction, not having much time to impact the game majorly.
Average: 6.14/10
Who was your MOTM against Port Vale? Vote below or through this link.
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