All matches
Championship · 2013/2014
Derby 1-3 Reading
Away

Match Report

Reading
P Pogrebnyak (47 62) N Blackman (90).
Derby
W Hughes (80).
Reading recording their most comfortable win of the season with a 3-1 away win at Derby County in the Championship. It was the first time Reading had won by more than a single goal and the first game where Reading looked good for the win. Having won with the last action of the game against Leeds United, Reading wrapped this one up slightly earlier. However, despite all those positive signs, it was still the home side that dominated the first half with Derby having the better of the play but failing to score. McCarthy wasn't under massive pressure, but when he was called into action he made a couple of decent saves to keep the scores at 0-0 at the break. Robson Kanu had Reading's best chance of the first half but his effort failed to hit the target from McCleary's cross.

The second half saw Reading much improved as they scored three times to record a deserved victory and make it two wins from two. Reading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak has struggled this season to get minutes on the pitch, and therefore had failed to score all season, until picking up a second half double. They were both reasonably easy efforts for Pogrebnyak but he put in an excellent performance for the Royals after serving a suspension against Leeds. His first came from an Obita free-kick and was a close range finish and his second he had a defensive mistake to thank for. With ten minutes left to play Derby pulled one back - it as the first goal Reading had conceeded in nearly four whole games. Blackman restored Reading's two goal advantage right at the end with a decent finish, he second of the season, as Reading broke away.

The Royals move up to just two points off second place in the table as the season suddenly begins to take shape. With Jem Karacan out injured, Adkins shuffled his side around from the 1-0 win over Leeds at the Madejski. Chris Baird made an solid debut, playing over an hour after completing his move to Reading the day before the game. Jordan Obita also made his league debut for the Royals and will be pleased with his performance.

League Position — 2013/2014

Post-Match Fans' Opinion

Good performance second half. Rode our luck a little in the first half but I would say McCarthy was only really tested once. Second half got off to the perfect start, two quick goals really boosted the confidence and we played some good stuff. Guthrie really is looking good and everything went through him again. Pog much improved and had his best game for us for a long time. Took his second goal well and looked like the big powerful forward we hoped he would be.

7 points in the week and a run of winnable games coming up. Confidence clearly building in the squad.
Brum Royal

First half was okay. We passed the ball nicely, looked solid at the back, but never really threatened up top.

Second half was the complete away performance. Incisive on the break, patient in possession, and calm at the back. Derby never looked like scoring until they did (lol), and even that came from a rare Guthrie error. Definitely deserved the win.

Pog was brilliant, held the ball up fantastically and brought others into play. Baird looks class - especially considering he hasn't played for 5 months - and looks to be building a decent partnership with Guth already. Hrk looks a different player now he's fit, and the two CB's were outstanding. Obita did well in an unfamiliar role too.

Fans were in good voice, and seemed to come in good numbers too.
winchester_royal

Quotes from the Press

Both Pogrebnyak goals came as a result of defensive howlers. First, Derby switched off from a Jordan Obita free-kick just 70 seconds into the second half as Alex Pearce nodded straight into the path of Pogrebnyak, who could not miss from two yards out.

Then the ex-Fulham man was celebrating his second on 62 minutes, courtesy of a Johnny Russell clanger. The Rams striker inexplicably deflected Garath McCleary's cross straight into Pogrebynak's path - and the Russia international powered home. Reading had Alex McCarthy to thank for a string of first-half saves that kept Derby at bay.

Royals boss Nigel Adkins said: "Big Pav came to the party for us, he scored an excellent two goals."
Daily Star

This Championship game took place 4670 days ago in the 2013/2014 season.