FIVE KEY MOMENTS
he was fortunate to see John t’s low shot squirm past him onto a post. oments later Ruddy dallied e drilling his clearance into Mo ow and the ball drifted inches . The dozy defending at least woke Wolves up at the other end as they took a 16th minute lead through Cavaleiro. Diogo Jota sliced open the Royals defence to send the winger through on goal. Not for one moment did it look as if he would miss, rolling his foot over the ball to round Vito Mannone and fire into an empty net. It was what the near 4,000 Wolves supporters behind the goal had come to expect. But watching their team under siege is one thing they are not so used to seeing. And how Wolves were forced to defend for their lives. Yann Kermorgant fired wide for Reading when the goal was at his mercy before the break. In the second period, however, it was Ruddy who took centre stage. Amid the hype of the overseas signings this summer, Ruddy’s free agent arrival largely went under the radar but he played a key role here with three crucial saves.
First he pushed Barrow’s 74thminute shot wide.
He was at it again to foil Barrow before Sone Aluko’s follow-up was cleared off the line by Willy Boly.
The England one-cap wonder would not be beaten as he frustrated Leandro Bacuna before Republic of Ireland defender Doherty wrapped up the win with two minutes left.
Royals boss Jaap Stam said: “We deserved at least a draw. We started very well, should have scored and then Wolves decided they’d be taking part in the game and went forward with ability and quality.
“We created a lot of opportunities in the second half and should have scored at least one.” Reading reached the play-offs last season but currently sit at the wrong end of the table. It will take some effort to repeat the heroics.
Wolves, on the other hand, look a good bet to be heading up.
Stam (left) said: “They’ve built a strong team, brought a lot of players in and spent a lot of money. They make it difficult for everyone.
“They have got a lot of ability and quality in their team.
“In the second half, we totally dominated the game. We created opportunity on opportunity but didn’t score.
“We should have scored at least one goal from all that. And then you have a draw and you don’t know what might happen.
“But then you always need to be aware of Wolves on the counter.”