Jezza is a dazzler
PEP CLOTET responded to his vote of confidence by plotting Reading’s downfall.
Just days after becoming Birmingham’s full-time boss, Clotet watched his side take the points at the Madejski helped by Jeremie Bela’s stunning free-kick.
The 26-year-old forward struck from 25 yards in Blues’ third win on the road this season.
Clotet said: “Bela is very good on these kind of kicks. We’ve been working with him since he came here. At that distance he has a very powerful shot.
“I’m absolutely proud of that performance. We’ve been very good way from home for the last few games.
“We knew we had to sort out our performances away from home, or develop our football to express ourselves the way we wanted.”
Birmingham led when a Jude Bellingham effort deflected off Michael Morrison, but Yakou Meite headed the leveller from a corner before the break.
Sub Jacques Maghoma hit the bar for the visitors on 53 minutes before Bela’s free-kick beat Rafael Cabral six minutes later. George Puscas’ 65th-minute header also hit the woodwork for the hosts, but Alvaro Gimenez added a third with a run and a low drive, with Lucas Joao striking an injury-time consolation.
Reading boss Mark Bowen felt it was too little, too late.
He said: “I expect more from my side in terms of quality on the ball.
“It’s easy to say our ball players were missing, but players who are coming in have got to be a lot better.”
READING: Cabral 7, Miazga 5 (Boye 46, 5), Morrison 6, Moore 6, Yiadom 6, Gomes 5 (Adam 76, 5), Rinomhota 6, Mccleary 5 (Joao 65, 5), Richards 5, Meite 6, Puscas 5
Subs not used: Walker, Gunter, Loader, Blackett
BIRMINGHAM: Trueman 6, Colin 6, Dean 7, Clarke-salter 4 (Harding 17, 6), Pedersen 6, Sunjic 6, Mceachran 6 (Jutkiewicz 69, 6), Crowley 5 (Maghoma 30, 6), Bellingham 6, Bela 8, Gimenez 7
Subs not used: Camp, Davis, Montero, Bailey
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jeremie Bela. His goal from twenty five yards out deserved to win the score.
REFEREE: Tim Robinson 5.