TWO early goals from Hull City condemned the Royals to their second consecutive Championship defeat despite new signing Lucas Joao netting his first Reading goal in an improved second-half.
In a week of exciting prospects for the club which saw five new faces join in the final week of the transfer market, a slow start at the KCOM Stadium ultimately cost them from putting their first points of the season on the board.
Reading made a dreadful start to the match, conceding after just six minutes as Hull City broke away at pace after the Royals surrendered possession and were punished by some neat play while young keeper Virginia made a horrible error.
Grosicki played a quick one, two to beat Andy Yiadom before his tame effort at goal was fumbled by goalkeeper Joao Virginia at his near post as he gifted Jarrod Bowen a tap in from a few yards out to give the hosts the lead.
Hull then had a half hearted shout for a penalty for a handball against Yiadom waved away by the referee as they continued to look the dominant team.
It wasn’t long before Hull doubled their advantage as Jackson Irvine met Bowen’s cross and was given a free header in the box to convert the hosts second goal of the game.
After being given an early wake up call, the Royals were forced into action and almost hit back immediately as some brilliant work from new signing Lucas Boye. He beat two defenders before playing an inch perfect pass for fellow new signing Lucas Joao who saw his effort bounce off the post and out of danger.
A disappointing first-half saw Jose Gomes make a tactical change at the break as he brought on another new signing, with highly rated Romanian striker George Puscas replacing Boye.
The Royals began the second-half in a more lively fashion and had a strong penalty claim denied by the referee as Yakou Meite poked the ball away from goalkeeper George Long who looked to have tripped Meite on the edge of the box.
Yiadom was given a yellow card for leaving out an elbow while competing for a header, while the home fans demanded that the referee send the Royals full-back off.
Reading were awarded for their adventurous play in contrast to a poor first 45 minutes and Lucas Joao grabbed a goal back to put the Royals back into the game.
John Swift picked out Lucas Joao who cushioned the ball with his first touch and cut inside the defender before firing past Long to score his first goal in a Reading shirt, just a week after he had scored against the Royals for Sheffield Wednesday.
Puscas then had his first sniff at goal as he broke down the right and into the box but tried for goal himself when he may have been able to pull the ball back for Meite in a stronger position.
Reading continued to enjoy the majority of the possession as they took the game to Hull in search of an equaliser with Meite, Puscas and Joao combining in attack.
With just under ten minutes remaining Joao again combined with Puscas as he laid the ball of for the Romanian who smashed his shot into the side netting from an acute angle.
Puscas then missed a huge opportunity to level the score and mark his debut with a goal as his shot rebounded off the crossbar from just six yards out with just a few minutes left.
Despite a much improved second half from Gomes’ men, they were unable to find an equaliser as they fell to their second defeat in as many games in the Championship.
The Royals make the short trip to Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Cup first-round before they host Cardiff City at the Madejski Stadium next Sunday.
Reading: Virginia, Yiadom (Morrison 90), Moore, Miazga, Richards, Pele (Adam 66), Rinomhota, Swift, Boye (Puscas 45), Meite, Joao.
Hull City: Long, Lichaj, Burke, de Wijs, Kingsley, Bowen, Batty, Stewart, Grosicki, Irvine, Eaves.
Goals: Bowen (6), Irvine (17), Joao (66)
