READING FC made a disappointing start to 2023, losing 1-0 away at West Brom on Monday afternoon.
The home side were all over the Royals in the opening stages and were only kept out in the first half by a combination of the post and heroics from Joe Lumley.
The pressure eventually told, however, as Daryl Dike found enough space in the box to break the deadlock on the hour mark.
Paul Ince’s men grew into the game but ultimately left it too late to salvage a point.
Joe Lumley 8: Fantastic. Produced a handful of acrobatic saves when the Royals were under the cosh early on. Claimed a barrage of crosses without any fuss.
Junior Hoilett 5: Not his best showing. Wasn’t able to cut out crosses from West Brom’s left. Got into the right positions offensively but wasn’t able to apply any incision. Should have done better with his effort on the half-hour mark.
Andy Yaidom 6: Worked hard to put out fires down Reading’s right hand side. A steady display from the skipper who did what was asked of him.
Scott Dann 5: Started like a player who was making his first appearance in 10 months, struggling to keep up with the pace of play. Grew into the game but allowed Dike to get the wrong side of him for his goal.
Tom McIntyre 6: Was pulled from pillar to post by Daryl Dike but did his best not to let the forward dominate the duel. A so-so performance from the centre-back.
Nesta Guinness-Walker 5: Deserved his place in the starting eleven and was given the challenge of handling the dangerous Jed Wallace. Never seemed in control of the head-to-head and couldn’t get forward enough.
Tom Ince 5: Not his best day. Was forced deeper than he would have liked and was unable to affect the attacks with his usual authority.
Jeff Hendrick 5: Put in the hard yards but was left chasing shadows with John Swift and co often playing triangles around Reading’s midfield.
Mamadou Loum 8: Dominant. The midfielder has looked far more assured since coming from the World Cup. Battled hard and was tidy on the ball, rarely giving the ball away.
Yakou Meite 5: Looked to get in behind albeit with minimal service. Fashioned a good opportunity in the first half, teeing up Hoilett who should have done better.
Andy Carroll 5: Held play up pretty well. Made some important aerial interventions inside his own box. Three starts in six days may have been a step too far for the in-form striker.
Amadou Mbengue 5: Put himself about but was unable to add the attacking impetus required when Reading were chasing the game.
Shane Long: N/A
Lucas Joao: N/A
Baba Rahman: N/A
Femi Azeez: N/A
Subs: Bouzanis, Sarr
