Joel Pereira: 6
Gathered up some early easier saves without fuss as Reading enjoyed a good opening period. Took a knock when making a save midway through the first half – Pereira made a strong save from the powerful close-range effort but could only parry it into the middle and was hurt in the ensuing melee.
Showed no signs of any injury moments later with a fantastic save from a curling effort, throwing himself across his goal to palm it behind. Could do nothing about either of Cardiff’s first two goals, with the first being
a header across his goal and the second being a one on one with acres of space.
Ryan Nyambe: 6
Allowed a bit more freedom to attack today, playing as a wing-back, and enjoyed spending time far wide with chalk on his boots. Set Daniel Kyerewaa on the run towards the box early in the game with a clever low ball down the right channel. Found Kyerewaa again on the edge of the box in the 15th minute for a shot.
Finley Burns: 4
Not his day, and had issues with several of the Cardiff attackers, giving away a few fouls. Played on the right side of a back three for most of the day, with almost all of his touches on the right side of the pitch.
Struggled to connect with a lot of his passes today, especially when looking forward. Mucked up the offside trap for the second goal but did try to hustle back.
Paudie O’Connor: 5
Didn’t have his best afternoon, but it must be said that’s become a rarity from O’Connor in 2026. Rarer still was that O’Connor was below 50% for aerial duels today: usually his strong suit. One of those responsible for the blown offside trap for the second goal when he stepped forward at the wrong moment.
Took an arm across the face in the Cardiff box and stayed down, with the fallout causing a fracas around the referee. Received no treatment on the field but then was asked to leave the field of play – was then booked for protesting.
Jeriel Dorsett: 5
Saw a lot of attacks into the space in between himself and Haydon Roberts, with Cardiff looking to cross the ball early and often.
Got back well to slide in and block a cutback into the box midway through the first half. Made himself space to shoot with an incredibly suave turn in the box, but looped the ball just over. Probably the best of his defensive colleagues today, and the left side of a back three does suit Dorsett well.
Haydon Roberts: 5
Played as a left-wing-back for most of the game, and struggled with that position a bit more than usual. Allowed a man in behind who was able to get a powerful shot off, causing a panic in the box.
Generally solid in the air but asked to do a lot of running. He was caught out a few times in the space between himself and Dorsett.
Lewis Wing: 5
Relatively quiet in the first half, with Reading not having much possession, and Rinomhota being an active partner alongside him. A step behind Cardiff for much of the opening hour, especially in the early stages of the second half.
Created the rebound for Kyerewaa to smash home with a powerful free-kick to the keeper’s left. That would prove to be one of just two shots Wing could find today. Alongside a fresher Rino, it was relatively clear to see the captain did look like a player with over 3,800 minutes played this season.
Andy Rinomhota: 7
Made his first start for Reading since his return in November and settled into the game against his old Cardiff teammates well. Was arguably Reading’s brightest spark throughout the game.
Saved a goal for Reading with a last-second tackle to clear a rebound from a great Pereira save. Ended the half well, winning the ball in the centre circle and driving it to the edge of the Cardiff box.
Came out for a tackle just after half-time and went to the ground painfully. Rino got up but limped painfully through the next few minutes. Recovered well and was able to keep running deep into the game, withdrawn with only minutes to go.
Daniel Kyerewaa: 6
Busy early on. Sprung onto an early loose touch in the Cardiff back line but couldn’t corral the ball enough to be dangerous with it.
Picked up the ball from a defensive mistake in the 21st minute and drove deep into the Cardiff half, eventually shooting a daisy cutter just wide.
Continued to work hard in the second half, looking to take men on. Was the most alert to the rebound from Wing’s free-kick, running towards the net as the ball was struck. Kyerewaa then put enough power on his half volley to drive it past the ‘keeper.
Spent the late stages attacking on the left side but didn’t get as much joy.
Paddy Lane: 6
Played as a left-sided 10 through the first half, assisting relatively centrally when Reading pressed.
Went searching down the left flank with a nice run in the early stages, eventually helping Reading earn a corner. Picked up a ball from Rinonhota in first-half injury time and drove in a powerful low shot, forcing a fantastic save out of Trott.
Offered a threat pretty consistently throughout the first half but faded out of it as the game went on. Attempted a bicycle kick in the box but couldn’t make good contact shortly before Cardiff’s second goal.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 5
Won the ball well on the press twice in the early stages. Held off Gabriel Osho when his first touch on the spin became a 50/50 ball and earned a free-kick.
Got close to a corner on the hour mark, with his shot into a gaping net blocked out for another set piece.
Couldn’t get himself in front of Perry Ng on the edge of the box for the third goal, with it being smashed in just in front of him. Found himself space for a shot late in injury time but couldn’t find enough power for his effort to trouble the ‘keeper.
Subs
Jack Marriott: 5
Almost found the back of the net with his first touch back, breathing down the neck of Osho to force a turnover, and forcing a save out of Trott. Marriott’s first touch would end up being his most consequential in the game, with the striker still playing himself back to fitness.
Kelvin Abrefa: N/A
Made his first appearance in the first team of 2026 for Reading, replacing Nyambe late on.
Matt Ritchie: N/A
Tried to inspire Reading to press in the late stages but didn’t find many willing partners.
Liam Fraser: N/A
Replaced Rino late on.
Average: 5.41/10
Who was your MOTM against Cardiff? Vote through this link.
