Reading earned a dramatic 3-2 win against Wigan Athletic
Gomes’ salute to battlers
AN “exhausted” Jose Gomes praised his Reading side’s battling qualities after they twice came from behind to beat fellow Championship strugglers Wigan Athletic.
Wigan went ahead through a close-range finish from Nick Powell only for John Swift to equalise from a free-kick on the stroke of half-time.
Joe Garner restored Wigan’s lead in the second half, but late goals from Mo Barrow and Yakou Meite – the latter in the 97th minute – gave Reading a dramatic victory.
It was the first time that they had secured back-to-back league wins in 15 months.
“I’m exhausted, like all the team,” Gomes said. “It means that we gave all our energy to Reading.
“My players were brave and they didn’t turn their face to the fight. We won the fight and they deserved these three points.”
Gomes confirmed that he and Jorge Mendonca, his firstteam assistant coach, were both shown yellow cards by referee Andy Davies – Gomes for excessive celebration after Meite’s winner.
Wigan dropped below Reading – on goal difference – after the defeat.
“What can I say?” Wigan manager Paul Cook said. “How can you best describe it? You just don’t feel good.
“Going towards the 90th minute, we looked all but home. All we’ve got to do is see the game out and then travel back with a great result.
“We haven’t managed to do that for whatever reason.
“I thought that we were full value for getting something out of the game.
“The key for us is if we replicate these type of performances, we won’t have a problem in staying in this league.”
After a quiet opening, Reading were first to threaten when Meite cut in from the right flank. He had a clear sight of goal and, although his effort was well struck, it flew narrowly over the crossbar.
Wigan rarely ventured forward and most of their approach work broke down long before the home area. But they became more positive as the half wore on, with Powell just missing a searching cross from Antonee Robinson to the far post.
It was a sign of what was to come, with Wigan going ahead in the 20th minute.
Ovie Ejaria clumsily lost possession in midfield, which allowed Michael Jacobs a free run into the Reading box. His cross was perfect for Powell, who touched home his fifth goal of the season.
Reading drew level in the third minute of first-half stoppage time, after Reece James had fouled Danny Loader on the edge of the Wigan area.
Swift stepped up and curled an excellent free-kick past the defensive wall and the helpless Jones.
Wigan regained the lead in the 64th minute. Powell provided the assist, after a goalmouth scramble, for Garner to volley home at the far post.
But Barrow levelled from a superb late strike and then Meite headed in from a corner to secure an unlikely win.