BREWERS RUIN ROYALS’ BIG DAY
NIGEL CLOUGH insisted that it was his side, not the occasion, that got to their opponents as Burton Albion recorded back-toback away wins for the first time in nearly two years on what was Reading’s 500th game at the Madejski Stadium.
Tom Flanagan’s first goal in over five years and a freak Tom Naylor winner gave Burton three points and helped them climb out of the bottom three thanks to Sunderland and Birmingham drawing.
And Clough says his players deserve the credit for the performance and the result.
“We were aware that there would be a good crowd,” said Clough, with Reading recording their biggest attendance of the season, 21,771. “The best way to keep them quiet was to get a goal.
“I don’t think the occasion got to them, but I hope we got to them with the way that we played.
“Before the game, we’d have been happy with a point. We know we can be solid, but the next stage is about being a bit more clinical.
“I don’t think many more things could have gone against us so far this season. We’re earning our luck, and the last two results really lift our spirits.
“We’ve lost seven on the spin at home, so it would be be nice to use this and stop the rot with either a win or a draw.”
Burton soaked up a lot of pressure early on as Reading looked to mark their milestone game with an early goal.
But the Royals lacked ambition in the final third, and it took until the 30th minute for Reading’s first shot, with former Fulham winger Sone Aluko shooting straight at Stephen Bywater in the Burton goal.
Reading had the upper hand in possession – by the end, they enjoyed threequarters of it – but were toothless at times, and paid for it when Burton took a shock lead.
A Lucas Akins throw-in was aimed at Lloyd Dyer but was left for Flanagan coming in unmarked to tuck the ball past Vito Mannone for his first goal in five years.
After the break Reading failed to carve out even the slightest of chances, and it was Burton who had chances to extend their lead, with a Dyer cross deflected to Will Miller, but his scuffed shot was saved easily.
Reading hadn’t looked like scoring, but they were suddenly back in the game thanks to top-scorer Mo Barrow. A looping cross found Liam Kelly at the back post whose ball back into the middle found its way to Barrow to poke it past the keeper.
However, Burton were back in front five minutes later through a freakish goal.
Liam Moore's clearance was charged down by Naylor 25 yards from goal, and the ricochet dribbled past the despairing Mannone.
Reading manager Jaap Stam said the game was one of the worst he had seen witnessed since joining the club.
“We’ve played games like this before where you’re not really at the level you can play at, and go behind,” said Stam. “But still, you get the equaliser and then that hopefully gives you the extra boost and you can go for the second one.
“But then to give away a goal like that, that’s very frustrating. It’s going to be difficult to get back into the game.
“We’ve shown in the past what this team is capable of. Maybe they want it too much. The players were very eager to do well and get a result, but for some reason it’s not there.”