IVAN TOO GREAT FOR ROYALS!
Clinical Wolves regain top spot
WOLVES climbed to the top of the table as Reading boss Jaap Stam slammed his side’s missed opportunities.
Ivan Cavaleiro opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half, and while Reading had a series of chances to get back into the game, Matt Doherty sealed the result for Wolves with just minutes remaining.
Wolves returned to top spot with the victory, while Reading dropped down to 19th.
Stam maintains that his side should have scored considering the chances they had.
“In the second half we totally dominated and created opportunity after opportunity. But when we don’t score, you always have to be aware of the counterattack,” he said.
“We should have scored at least one. Then you have at least a draw and then you can see what happens after that.”
Stam says that his team pushed forwards in the search for an equaliser, but that opened up gaps to the break, which was the case for Doherty’s late goal.
“Sometimes we need to understand the energy the players put in going forward like that,” he said.
“But when the team comes on the break you need to have that energy so that you’re not giving away that half-a-yard so they can have the shot.”
Stam also praised the ruthless nature of his opponents.
“We did very well, playing football and creating opportunities throughout the game, but it was clinical from Wolves,” he said. “They’ve got a strong team full of ability, and have spent a lot of money this season.”
After some early Reading pressure, Wolves went ahead through Cavaleiro. Diogo Jota’s thoughball found the Portugal international one-on-one with Vito Mannone in the Reading goal. Cavaleiro had the presence of mind to round the keeper and tuck it home.
Reading made an early substitution, with ex-Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards replacing Tiago Ilori as they changed their set-up after going behind.
At half-time John Ruddy could have been forgiven for thinking he would have a quiet day in the