Reading 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 1
MATEJ VYDRA’S first goal for Reading earned the side a deserved point from a score draw with the Championship leaders at Madejski Stadium this afternoon.
The striker, on a season-long loan from Watford, reacted quickest to a blocked Nick Blackman shot to level matters on 78 minutes.
His first strike in Royals’ colours cancelled out Jamie Murphy’s opener earlier in the second half.
And despite a late rally failing to yield a winner for the home side, boss Steve Clark was happy in the end to pick up a point and avoid a second successive defeat.
“I think being 1-0 down going into the last 15 minutes of the game becomes a decent point against a very good team.
“They looked solid defensively, don’t give much away, so we showed great character to get back in it.
“We spoke before the game about the first goal being a crucial goal in this game. I was hoping we would get it, but they got it, but the response was really good.
“The response to conceding last week (against Fulham) was very poor, but the response to conceding this week was very, very good, so that is a positive for us and we take that into the next game.”
Brighton arrived in Berkshire unbeaten in the league to date, sitting four points atop of the table.
And the Seagulls were keen to stamp their authority on proceedings from the off, where Murphy showed Chris Gunter a clean pair of heels before swinging over a cross which was cut out by Paul McShane.
The first Reading attack of note saw Vydra thread a perfectly-weighted pass in the direction of Blackman, but Lewis Dunk nipped in to take the ball off his toe.
A free-kick won by Orlando Sa on the edge of the box then presented Oliver Norwood with a sight of goal.
And the set-piece specialist duly hit the target, only to see Stockdale at full stretch brilliantly palm the ball away.
Royals were now asking all the questions of their guests, with Vydra heavily involved, and it was his gorgeous cross using the outside of his right foot which dropped aimlessly on the head of Blackman.
But it was still a difficult chance for the in-form front man, who did well to arc his neck accordingly, but could only send the header narrowly wide of an upright.
Yet it was Brighton who would end the half strongly, with former Reading full back Liam Rosenior laying on a chance for Tomer Hemed.
Again, McShane was on hand to avert the danger, but it would result in a string of corners which would put the home side’s resolve under examination.
One flag kick saw a Sam Baldock strike diverted over, while another witnessed Ali Al Habsi produce a decent stop to flick a Hemed header at the near post away from the top corner.
Albion’s offensive work continued after the break and would, after a fairly quiet start to the session, yield the opening goal.
The deadlock was broken in the 51st minute through a team effort of real quality.
Spreading the ball out wide saw captain Bruno Saltor, Baldock and Hemed exchange a number of sweet first-time passes.
With the Royals’ back line cut wide open, Hemed drove into the box and sent over a low centre which Murphy swept home from close range.
Falling behind appeared to galvanize the hosts, and only putting his body on the line prevented Michael Hector from grabbing an almost immediate equaliser.
However, the same player was soon called into action up the other end, cutting out a dangerous cross before watching on, along with thousands more in the stands, as Al Habsi misjudged his back pass.
Thankfully, with the ball rolling dangerously towards an empty net, the ‘keeper was able to scramble back and clear his lines, but it was a real let off for the side.
But there was to be no looking back from Reading.
One of two changes to the side beaten at Fulham last time out, Garath McCleary, who came in for Lucas Piazon, was withdrawn for Paolo Hurtado.
Andrew Taylor also returned to the back four, replacing Jordan Obita, who took his place among the replacements.
Orlando Sa was also withdrawn at the this time, with Piazon taking his place as Clarke bolstered his attacking options.
Although it would have the desired affect, the manager would watch on frustratingly as a brilliant counter attack led by Blackman saw the player cover some 40 yards as he burst into the box.
With his view of goal blocked, the forward instead laid off to an unmarked Vydra, but with just Stockdale to beat, the Czech instead opted to pass, but could only find a fluorescent yellow shirt instead.
However, the player soon made up for that poor decision – and Blackman was once again involved.
It was his ambitious drive from range which Stockdale failed to hold, with the ball rolling nicely for Vydra to fire high into the roof of the net.
The impressive Blackman cracked another effort past an upright as Reading laid siege on the Albion net, while in another opportunity, Norwood was wildly off target from just outside the box.
“(Matej) looked good, sharp, this is why we brought him in, it was very sharp reactions, very quick,” added Clarke.
“It is good for Matej to get his first goal for us. Goalscorers, you know what they are like, you think if they are not scoring they are not doing well for the team.
“It is not always the case, but for Matej it is a big goal and I’m sure he will score many more for us.”
Reading (4-3-3): Al Habsi, Gunter, Taylor, McShane (c) Hector, Norwood, Williams, McCleary (Hurtado), Blackman, Vydra, Sa (Piazon)
Subs not used: Obita, Fernandez, Liburd, Ferdinand, Bond.
Brighton (4-3-3): Stockdale, Saltor (c) (Calderon), Hunemeier, Dunk, Rosenior, Crofts, Kayal (Ince), Stephens, Murphy, Hemed (Zamora), Baldock.
Subs not used: Maenpaa, Calderon, Ince, Manu.
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).
Attendance: 21,244 (3,648 away).
