Reading 1-1 West Ham United: Meite on target as Royals hold Premier League Hammers to draw

A new look Reading FC side made another step towards the new season as they held Premier League West Ham United to a draw at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Playing in front of the home fans for the first time this pre-season, Paul Ince’s men made a strong impression up against David Moyes’ Hammers side.

With plenty of new faces in the squad, it was a familiar face in Yakou Meite who popped up on the scoresheet to level after Nikola Vlasic’s opener for West Ham early in the first-half.

The Royals crowd were treated to the return of fan favourite Shane Long who made his first appearance in a Reading shirt for more than a decade after returning to the club last week.

With just two weeks to go until the start of the 2022/23 Championship season when Reading face an away trip to Blackpool, the Royals welcomed UEFA Europa Conference League side West Ham.

It’s been a summer of change in Berkshire which started with the appointment of Ince as full-time manager and was followed by former manager Mark Bowen returning as Head of Football Operations.

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With several more changes behind the scenes, Reading also have a fresh look on the pitch after losing key players such as John Swift, Andy Rinomohta and Josh Laurent.

However, spirits were lifted by the nostalgic homecoming of fan favourite Shane Long who joined on a one-year deal, while Jeff Hendrick was added on loan from Newcastle United.

Hendrick was given a spot in the starting line-up, as was trialist Sam Hutchinson, while new club captain Andy Yiadom started at the back alongside Tom McIntyre and Tom Holmes.

With a few more trialists among the Reading squad, there was a familiar face in the Hammers’ starting eleven as former Royals academy product Michail Antonio started up front.

Starting the game in a high tempo in the blistering heat, new loan signing Tyrese Fornah stole the ball from West Ham with a tough tackle in midfield but couldn’t ignite a Reading attack after an overhit pass out wide to Ovie Ejaria.

A first big chance for the Hammers came when Jarrod Bowen broke into the box and pulled the ball back for Antonio, but Holmes managed to throw his body in the way to make a last ditch block.

West Ham tried to test Reading’s resolve but the hosts stayed compact when Andy Yiadom held his nerve with a patient piece of defending before nicking the ball from Ben Johnson.

But with both sides quickly tiring in the sweltering conditions, the half ended goalless with few chances created by either side.

With the second-half just six minutes old, the Irons scored the first goal of the contest.

After keeping the ball for a considerable period of time with some neat passing, Nikola Vlasic got on the end of Bowen’s cross to nod the ball into the corner past Joe Lumley.

Reading came close to an instant response when Tom Ince drove down the left and hung up a cross for Lucas Joao, but Alphonse Areola was able to clutch the ball after a tame header.

The next chance came for Pablo Fornals when he tricked his way into the box, but Hutchinson got his frame in the way to protect his goalkeeper.

Summer signing Lumley made an excellent fingertip save to keep out Bowen after the England international opened up his body to try and pick out the left corner.

Both teams made changes as Ince brought on Femi Azeez and Kian Leavy replaced Fornah and Yiadom.

Dejan Tetek quickly followed to take the place of Hendrick and Long made his greatly anticipated Royals return as Joao came off.

Another attacking change saw Yakou Meite enter the contest in place of Ejaria.

Another England international on display, Declan Rice, came inches away from grabbing a second for West Ham when he worked space for a drive at goal which smacked the inside of the post and stayed out.

Reading responded with 68 minutes on the clock when Meite pounced from close range to convert from McIntyre’s cross on the half volley to level the match.

Meite continued to make a bright impression as he tried to fling himself on the end of Femi Azeez’ cross.

Reading thought they had snatched a win in the 86th minute when Meite got in behind the Hammers defence and drilled the ball through Areola’s legs, but he was denied by a marginal offside decision.

Long showed a turn of pace to bear down on goal before he was tripped on the edge of the box which brought Reading an inviting free-kick in the 90th minute, but Meite’s effort was deflected wide by the wall

Reading’s next pre-season test comes away at League Two AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday before they host Premier League Brighton & Hove Albion next Saturday.