Reading got 2019 off to a nightmare start with a 4-1 thrashing by Swansea in Jose Gomes’ first home game as Royals boss.
The Swans took the lead as early as the second minute through Oli McBurnie and raced three goals clear by half-time with Connor Roberts and Mike van der Hoorn also on target.
And the rout was complete moments after the restart when McBurnie tucked in from the penalty spot after Wayne Routledge had been fouled by Garath McCleary.
There was one moment to celebrate late on when Callum Harriott marked his first competitive appearance in over two years with a well taken goal, but that proved to be as good as it got for the hosts, who remain stuck in the Championship relegation zone without a win in 10 matches.
Gomes named an unchanged side from the one which impressed in the goalless draw at QPR on Saturday but unlike the resolute display at Loftus Road, the Royals fell behind in just the second minute against the Swans. A cross from Kyle Naughton just evaded Tiago Ilori allowing McBurnie to bury a header into the bottom corner.
John Swift looked for a quick response with a long-range free-kick while Erwin Mulder parried away but that proved to be as close as Reading would come during the first half with Sone Aluko and Yakou Meite missing the target.
As well as being toothless up front, coming into the game with just one goal in five games, the defensive frailties were also evident as Swansea doubled their tally on the half hour mark. Barrow’s scuffed clearance was worked to Bersant Celina on the edge of the box, who clipped it through to Leroy Fer. The midfielder held off his marker and knocked it across goal where Roberts pounced to tuck in.
And the scoring was not done there for the half as Swansea moved 3-0 up when a deep Matty Grimes free-kick was turned in by van der Hoorn at the back post.
Reading were booed off at the break and things got even worse seconds after the restart.
Moments after McBurnie was denied by a last-ditch Omar Richards block in the centre of the box, the Scot found the net again from the penalty spot. Routledge was bundled over by McCleary, allowing McBurnie to step up and fire hard past Jaakkola to cue more disgruntlement from the home fans.
Meite found space in the box on the hour mark but could not generate enough power to trouble Mulder. Gomes quickly turned to his bench, replacing Meite and Aluko with Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Danny Loader but it was his third sub, Harriott for McCleary, which proved the most fruitful.
Winger Harriott has endured a nightmare two-year spell with injury, not playing since December 2016 aside from friendlies, but he marked his long awaited return in style, brilliantly controlling Swift’s pass and lashing a strike into the bottom corner.
That was a rare moment of joy in an otherwise horrible performance from Reading, who are now five points adrift of safety in the relegation zone.
READING: Jaakkola; Yiadom, Ilori, O’Shea, Richards; Swift, Rinomhota; McCleary (c) (Harriott 72), Aluko (Loader 61), Barrow; Meite (Bodvarsson 61).
Subs not used: Walker, Moore, Osho, Kelly.
Goal: Harriott (77)
Yellow cards: Ilori (67), Barrow (75)
SWANSEA: Mulder; Naughton, van der Hoorn, Rodon, Roberts; Grimes, Fer (c), Celina; Dyer (Fulton 85), Routledge (Carter-Vickers 88), McBurnie (Baker-Richardson 73).
Subs not used: Nordfeldt, James, Montero, McKay.
Goals: McBurnie x2 (2,48 pen), Roberts (30), van der Hoorn (45)
Yellow card: Roberts (53)
Referee: Tim Robinson
Attendance: 15,644 (inc. 1,980 away)
