Reading 2-1 Stoke City: Royals take big step towards Championship safety

READING FC took another step towards securing championship safety by beating Stoke City.

The Royals went ahead through Michael Morrison, only to be pegged back on the stroke of half-time by Romaine Sawyers’ strike.

Reading regained the lead and took the three points thanks to Lucas Joao’s 63rd minute header.

Paul Ince’s side are now four games unbeaten and are eight points clear of the relegation zone having played one more match than Barnsley.

Ince made one enforced change from the draw at Barnsley as Tom Ince was unable to face his parent club which meant that he was replaced by Junior Hoilett.

Meanwhile, former Royals player Lewis Baker, who enjoyed a successful loan spell in Berkshire for the second half of the 2018/19 season, lined up for Stoke having returned from injury.

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The Royals came into the contest on the back of picking up five points from their last three Championship games to see them five points clear of the relegation zone.

Reading made a promising start and had plenty of possession as Stoke struggled to find their feet in the early stages.

Ovie Ejaria came close to breaking the deadlock after five minutes when Junior Hoilett’s cross found him at the back post, and after he twisted and turned, his shot was deflected behind for a corner.

Another chance came the way of Ejaria, set up again by Hoilett, who drilled a low cross into the box but Ejaria failed to connect.

Having made an energetic start to the contest, Reading were rewarded by scoring the first goal of the game with 13 minutes gone.

Hoilett again fired in another excellent cross, this time to the back post in the aftermath of a corner to find Michael Morrison and despite his first effort being kept out by Jack Bonham, the rebound fell kindly for him to chest over the line.

Canadian international Hoilett continued to find plenty of joy down the right where he dovetailed effectively with Andy Yiadom, but this time his teasing cross was collected by Bonham up against the leap of Lucas Joao.

Ejaria picked up the first booking of the game when he went in late on Jordan Thompson who had to be stretchered off. The challenge was met with discontent from the travelling fans who pleaded with the referee to show a red card.

It appeared as if the Royals would go into the break a goal ahead, but the Potters hit back on the stroke of half-time with their first shot on target.

Josh Maja let the ball run and it broke for Romaine Sawyers who unleashed a powerful effort towards goal that Orjan Nyland could only parry into the roof of the net.

Danny Drinkwater came to Ejaria’s aid late in the half when he produced a lung bursting recovery run to win back the ball after it had been carelessly given away.

Stoke started the second-half with improved confidence with their first chance after the restart falling for Jacob Brown who scooped an effort over the top of Nyland’s bar.

Having made a flat start to the half, the Royals burst into life and regained their lead.

After Hoilett’s shot was turned behind for a corner after he was cleverly found by John Swift’s short free-kick, the Royals scored from the resulting set-piece when Joao rose highest to head in.

Ince opted to make a double switch straight after the goal as Tom Dele-Bashiru and Femi Azeez replaced Ejaria and Hoilett.

Michael O’Neill’s side came close to a quick response when Tyrese Campbell got into the box but just evaded the far post with his shot.

A golden came and went for Stoke in the 78th minute when the ball was cut back for Brown who was found unmarked and just 10 yards from goal, but he spooned his shot high over the target.

A final change saw Scott Dann enter the match to solidify the defence in place of Swift for the final few minutes.

After four minutes of stoppage time, Reading survived any scares to hold on to three points to take them further clear of the drop zone.