GONE TO POT!
Royals boss not amused by Stoke show
VELJKO PAUNOVIC labelled his Reading side “immature” after three defensive howlers rounded off a horrific few days.
The leaders were seven points clear but are now just one in front after losing their last three games, conceding nine goals.
This was a second straight 3-0 defeat, Tyrese Campbell, Steven Fletcher and Jacob Brown scoring for improving Stoke.
The Royals’ overall performances this week have been quite good, but defensive errors are costing them dearly.
Boss Paunovic said: “We need to learn this is a serious league where mistakes at both ends can kill you.
“There is a mix of immaturity and fatigue, and accumulation of games and injuries that we are going through.
“It is unacceptable and we will work towards improvement.
“We had a very good start, got a bit comfortable, and then gave away two goals. We have to rediscover our identity.”
Reading, slow starters this season, began like a house on fire.
Alfa Semedo was denied by Angus Gunn from Andy Yiadom’s cross and the exNottingham Forest midfielder went even closer with a header tipped onto the bar from a Josh Laurent delivery.
The misses proved vital when the hosts shot themselves in the foot on 23 minutes.
Tomas Esteves’ header across his own goal was capit a l ised on by Campbell, who drove home confidently.
Then came an awful clearance by Rafael 12 minutes later, with Tommy Smith heading into Campbell’s path, who in turn found Fletcher. The Scotland international finished well after beating the offside trap.
Reading were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Danny Batth pulled down Michael Morrison – but ref Keith Stroud was unsighted. The
Royals, though, never looked like finding a way back as Stoke defended confidently.
And another disaster in defence by debutant Lewis Gibson let in Brown to seal things in stoppage time.
The Everton loanee clattered into the post attempting to atone for his error, and that summed up Reading’s dismal day.
Potters boss Michael O’Neill celebrates a year in charge today, and said: “I’m delighted with the three points. We showed a different side to our game.
“In this league clean sheets are hard to come by.
“I’ve enjoyed my time at Stoke, we’ve made a lot of progress.”
READING: Rafael 5; Yiadom 6 (Aluko 74, 6), Morrison 5, Gibson 4, Richards 6; Esteves 5 (Olise 62, 6), Rinomhota 6, Laurent 6, Semedo 7; Puscas 5 (Baldock 63, 6), Joao 6.
Unused Subs: McIntyre, Southwood, Tetek, Watson.
STOKE CITY: Gunn 7; Smith 7, Souttar 7, Batth 7, Fox 7; Campbell 8 (Brown 82, 7), Obi 7, Thompson 7, McClean 7; Powell 6 (OakleyBoothe 46, 6), Fletcher 7 (Collins 72, 6). Unused Subs: Ince, Vokes, Tymon, Nna Noukeu.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Tyrese Campbell. Constant menace, got his goal and unfortunate not to have another.
REFEREE: Keith Stroud 6.