BELA’S BELTER HAS BOWEN FEELING BLUE
MARK Bowen hit out at his Reading players after they narrowly went down to Birmingham.
Brum went ahead through an own-goal from Michael Morrison, the former Blues defender, but Yakou Meite equalised on the stroke of half-time.
A stunning free-kick from Jeremie Bela and a late effort from Alvaro Gimenez put Birmingham in control.
Reading sub Lucas Joao reduced the deficit from close range in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
“We were poor,” Bowen admitted. “I’m expecting a lot more from my side, especially in terms of quality on the ball.
“It’s easy to say that were missing our ‘ball players’ in John Swift and Ovie Ejaria, and that was a big loss to us.
“But the players stepping in have got to be better in terms of passing, retaining possession and being braver on the ball.
“It’s all the things that I expect, anyway. I’ve been saying for weeks that there are two sides to the game and we were off in both cases.
“We were sloppy getting into the game and then in possession.
“I’m a bit angry and disappointed. We’re better than that.”
City were dealt an early blow when central defender Jake Clarke-Salter had to be replaced by substitute Wes Harding.
Clarke-Salter fell awkwardly, after a foul challenge from Meite, and left the pitch slowly with what appeared to be an arm injury.
He was later taken to hospital by ambulance.
A patchy game came to life shortly before half-time, with Birmingham going in front in the 41st minute.
Josh McEachran lost control as he weaved into the home area and the ball looped off Michael Morrison and over keeper Rafael.
Four minutes later, Reading drew level.
Pele slung over yet another excellent corner and Meite stooped to head in from close range.
City opened encouragingly in the second half, with Ivan Sunjic firing narrowly over from 25 yards, Gimenez shooting wide and Jacques Maghoma striking the crossbar from long distance.
However, Bela then made no mistake from an expertly guided free-kick for his first goal for the club.
Reading responded, with captain Liam Moore nodding against the bar from a Pele corner. But Birmingham settled it in the 88th minute after Gimenez tucked home after his initial effort had been blocked.
Joao did strike from close range for Reading, from a Charlie Adam free-kick, in time added on, but Brum held firm.
Pep Clotet, taking charge for the first time as Brum’s newly appointed permanent head coach, was delighted.
“I was very proud of that performance, absolutely,” Clotet said. “We have been very good away from home in the last few games.
“We knew that we would have to develop our football a little bit more and express ourselves in the way that we wanted to.
“Reading kept playing their style, trying to break with the ball, and they did it successfully.
“But we defended well on a number of their counterattacks.”