Jose going wrong way
JOSE GOMES promised on arrival he would get Reading out of the Championship – but League One looks a much likelier destination than the Premier League.
The 48-year-old from Portugal suffered a nightmare first home game in charge as Swansea thrashed his team 4-1. Two goals from Oli McBurnie and further strikes from Connor Roberts and Mike van der Hoorn sunk the Royals after only 48 minutes.
Substitute Callum Harriott grabbed a consolation for Reading on his return after two years out with injury. Gomes, with just one point
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and one goal in his first three games, said: “We looked scared. I can promise while I’m here as head coach we cannot see this any more.”
Swans manager Graham Potter said: “I have had better Christmases so it is nice to make a good start to 2019.”
Frank Lampard thought George Saville should have been sent off for his foul on Jack Marriott as Derby drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough.
Referee Robert Jones only booked Saville but Lampard said: “It felt like a red card to me at the time.” Derby could not build on Harry Wilson’s goal inside 90 seconds and Jordan Hugill equalised in the 52nd minute.
Daniel Farke felt Norwich did well to overcome injuries as they came away with a 1-1 draw at Brentford.
The second-placed Canaries lost both Marco Stiepermann and Alex Tettey, but earned a point with a Timm Klose header after Julian Jeanvier gave Brentford the lead.
Manager Farke said: “It’s difficult to turn the game, especially when you have to handle the situation without several key players before the game, then injuries during it.”