He’s high & Meite!
kickabout.READING
VELJKO PAUNOVIC already had his arm in a sling and Reading’s comeback here perhaps spared their boss fresh injury.
The Royals boss tore shoulder ligaments in a recent training
He nearly did himself another mischief at the City Ground when he booted the away dugout in frustration with a high kick in the first half.
Serbian Paunovic reacted after striker Lucas Joao blew a golden chance to break the deadlock when he hit the woodwork.
Andy Yiadom was also denied by the upright after Tom Holmes’ own goal put Forest in front in the 49th minute.
But Paunovic’s side deservedly levelled nine minutes from time as substitute Yakou Meite capped a spirited fightback with a fierce shot from distance.
Paunovic said: “I don’t think we came out with a great execution.
“The first 35 minutes was too casual. You want to start the game with urgency and build momentum. But it was a good reaction after the goal and I am disappointed we didn’t win it.”
Forest went close to taking the lead in the 25th minute with a clever nearpost flick from Glenn Murray.
The hosts got a break in the 36th minute when Joao sliced a shot on to the post and put the rebound wide.
And the visitors were made to pay when Sammy Ameobi’s cross to Murray was turned in by defender Holmes.
But Reading finished strongly as Yiadom hit the post before Meite lashed in a left-foot shot from outside the box.
Reds boss Chris Hughton, who lost Joe Lolley to a hamstring injury, said: “It was a tough game. We were tested.”
NOTT’M FOREST: Samba 5; Christie 6, Figueiredo 6, McKenna 6, Bong 7; Garner 7, Cafu 6; Lolley 6 (Knockaert 34, 6), Krovinovic 6 (Freeman 80), Ameobi 8; Murray 8 (Grabban 72, 6). READING: Cabral 7; Yiadom 7, Holmes 6, Moore 7, Richards 7; McIntyre 7; Semedo 6 (Meite 61, 7), Laurent 7; Olise 7; Joao 7, Puscas 6 (Aluko 74, 6)
MAN OF THE MATCH: Sammy Ameobi. Teed up opener and was a big threat.
REFEREE: Stephen Martin 6.
HULL CITY OXFORD UTD 3 ........ Shots on Target ......... 6 1 ......... Shots off Target ......... 3 2 ................ Corners ................. 3 17 ................. Fouls ................. 20 3 ............... Offsides ................. 2 68.8.Passing Success % .... 82.1 247 ....... Total Passes ........ 435 36.7 ..... Possession % ..... 63.3 59.7..Territorial Adv %..40.3
CHRIS BEECH praised Carlisle for sticking together through a tough run. Offrande Zanzala scored a brace after Rhys Bennett’s opener, while Gareth Evans replied.
Beech said: “We’ve stayed together and that’s what we’ll continue to do, as we saw in this performance. We were powerful, determined and committed.”
Joint Bradford manager Mark Trueman said: “We’re disappointed we didn’t punish them.”