HOW THEY RATED
With Andy Turner
STARTING FORMATION: 3-4-2-1 BEN WILSON: Came and took a threatening ball into the box to set the tone for a commanding display in his area. Mad a really good save on the stroke of half-time to deny a Meite header. 6.5
MICHAEL ROSE: Back in the starting line-up after injury, Rose faced a big test up against target man Andy Carroll. Alert to danger and put his body on the line, throwing himself in front of powerful shots to make blocks. As the eldest of the back three, he also took responsibility to organise his younger team-mates alongside him. Went agonisingly close to scoring from a near post header from a corner that bounced off the far stick. Impressive throughout. 7.5
CALLUM DOYLE: Deployed at the heart of the back three in place of Mcfadzean, the Manchester City loan defender did well against Meite early on but did foul the forward on the half hour mark, an offence for which he was booked. 6.5
JONATHAN PANZO: Headed clear from Reading’s early set-piece threat and defended strongly in an impressive first half when he displayed good strength on the ball. 6.5
JOSH ECCLES: Helped defend Reading’s early pressure but got forward on the counter attack when he could in a relatively tight opening half. An impressive outlet on the right in the second half when City took the game to their opponents. 6.5 GUSTAVO HAMER: Put himself about well at both ends of the pitch and always provided a calm head in potentially tricky situations. Linked up well with the forwards and shot wide from a 20-yard free-kick. Grew increasingly frustrated after the break when City dominated much of the attacking play. Forced the keeper to punch clear from a powerful angled free-kick late on as City went in search of an equaliser. 6.5
BEN SHEAF: Industrious in the middle of the park, the holding midfielder lifted a loose ball disappointingly over the bar in the opening 20 minutes but tested the keeper with a powerful effort in the second half. Made good use of the ball in general. 6.5
JAKE BIDWELL: Got up the pitch well when he could and defended reasonably well in the first half. Beaten to the first header from a corner for Reading’s early second half lead. 5.5
CALLUM O’HARE: As lively as ever, the busy midfielder linked up well with Gyokeres, slipping him into the box in the first 20 minutes, only for the striker to be dispossessed by a good tackle. Forced the keeper into a good save in the 25th minute with a low effort from the edge of the D. 6.5
JAMIE ALLEN: His usual effervescent self, the midfielder never stopped running all afternoon, getting in the Royals’ faces and trying to make things happen for City with little give and go passes. 6
VIKTOR GYOKERES: Pressed well from the front but lacked the quality service needed, bar a decent ball from O’hare, for him to run at Reading’s defence in a tight first half. Strong and powerful on the ball, and a real handful, particularly after the break. Closely marked throughout. 7
SUBSTITUTES Kasey Palmer (78 mins, for Sheaf). Jack Burroughs (78 mins, for Bidwell).
Todd Kane (84 mins, for Allen). Martyn Waghorn (84 mins, for O’hare).
Subs not used: Simon Moore, Liam Kelly, Fabio Tavares.
READING ( 4-2-3-1): Joe Lumley; Andy Yiadom, Tom Holmes, Amadou Mbengue, Baba Rahman (76 mins, Naby Sarr); Tyrese Fornah (63 mins, for Mamadou Loum), Jeff Hendrick; Junior Hoilett, Tom Ince, Yakou Meite (76 mins, for Lucas Joao); Andy Carroll (63 mins, for Shane Long).
Subs not used: Dean Bouzanis, Tom Mcintyre, Nesta Guinness-walker. GOAL: ROYALS: Mbengue (57) REFEREE: Matthew Donohue. ATTENDANCE: 15,213 (2004 away) NEXT UP: Swansea City (h), Saturday (3pm).