Royals up in VARms
By ROB STEWART at the Madejski Stadium
READING boss Veljko Paunovic demanded the introduction of VAR in the Championship after the Royals were ‘denied’ a late penalty.
The Serbian was fuming after referee Stephen Martin waved away penalty appeals in the 81st minute when the ball hit Di’Shon Bernard’s outstretched hand, under pressure from Andy Carroll (above).
Paunovic said: “I would definitely like to see VAR in the Championship because it would be helpful. This shows teams that want to play attacking football and you need at least the benefit of a review.
“It’s not only that incident but there was lots of grabbing at set-pieces as well. It’s the judgment of other people that you don’t get a win and I don’t understand it.” Ref Martin was surrounded by furious Royals players after the final whistle and booed by the fans.
Paunovic added: “It’s cost us two points and that’s difficult to cope with. We feel something’s wrong about how we’re treated. That’s tough to live with. It has to be looked at because everyone has to be accountable.”
Royals defender Tom Holmes had put the hosts in command with a stunning bicycle kick in first-half stoppage time.
But the lead was short-lived after a howler from keeper Luke Southwood, who allowed Mallik Wilks’ low 30-yarder to slip through his grasp in the 55th minute.
Tigers boss Grant McCann conceded his team were lucky to escape with a point but they are now unbeaten in five games.
He said: “What especially pleased me was the way my outstanding young defenders rose manfully to the challenge of dealing with Andy Carroll who is still a real handful.”
READING: Southwood 5; Yiadom 6 (Tetek 46,6), Holmes 7, Dann 6, Rahman 6; Laurent 7; Drinkwater 6, Halilovic 6 (Azeez 56,6), DeleBashiru 7; Swift 6, Carroll 6. Subs not used: Rafael, Abrefa, Ashcroft, Puscas, Camara.
HULL: Baxter 7; Greaves 7, Bernard 6, McLoughlin 6; Longman 6 (Elder 66, 6), Docherty 6, Smallwood 6, Lewis-Potter 6; Honeyman 7; Wilks 7, Magennis 6 (T Smith 75, 6). Subs not used: Ingram, Cannon, Moncur, Williams, Huddlestone.
MAN OF THE MATCH: George Honeyman: Only 5ft 8in but was still head and shoulders above everyone else.
REFEREE: Stephen Martin 7.