Following their huge 2-0 home win against promotion favourites Brighton & Hove Albion prior to the international break, Garry Monk’s Leeds United travelled to the Madejski Stadium to encounter their play-off rivals Reading this evening. With little possibility of earning a direct promotion, the Peacocks were cautious about their remaining eight league fixtures in order to avoid any late slip-ups.
Reading, rejuvenated under former Manchester United and AC Milan centre-back Japp Stam, started the game with the similar purpose to keep their promotion hopes alive. However, the home team managed a narrow and hard-fought 1-0 win over the visitors and strengthened their place within top six of the Championship table.
Below are the Leeds players rated from this encounter.
Robert Green: 6.5
The veteran Englishman could not have done much to deny Yann Kermorgant’s thunderous strike. Was fortunate when the Frenchman’s effort from the edge of the box hit the woodwork right on course of the half-time whistle. Other than that, he pulled off a few decent saves, denying Garath McCleary one-on-one was the best of the lot.
Gaetano Berardi: 5
Started in an unusual right fullback role like his previous outing against Brighton due to the absence of suspended Luke Ayling. But the Swiss professional could not deliver an equally impressive performance and failed to calm things down from the right-hand flank. Jordan Obita and Roy Beerens kept him busy, thus failing to contribute much in Leeds’ attack with overlap runs and crosses.
Kyle Bartley: 5.5
Kermorgant, the 35-year old Frenchman was all over Leeds’ defence and Bartley struggled to keep him under control throughout the first half. Had a better second half as he did well to contain the former Bournemouth forward.
Liam Cooper: 5.5
Pontus Jansson missed the fixture with a hamstring injury and Cooper got another start to partner Bartley. He had a strong aerial presence, however, the likes of Beerens, McCleary and Swift along with Kermorgant kept him on his toes throughout.
Charlie Taylor: 5.5
The youngster had an astonishing comeback against Brighton in the previous gameweek when he returned to the starting lineup following a long-term injury. But the youngster failed to impress this evening and despite a few decent crosses and forward runs, he was mostly contained by experienced fullback Chris Gunter.
Liam Bridcutt: 5.5
The skipper failed to break Reading’s movements in midfield and struggled to build up counter-attacking threats. Had an improved second half as he combated well in the centre of the pitch and tried his best to link up with the likes of Sacko, Hernandez and Pedraza and later Doukara in search of an equaliser.
Ronaldo Vieira: 6
The youngster worked tirelessly, ran a lot, offered attacking intent and tried to find a way into Reading’s area, but failed to deal with the physicality of Reading midfield. Lacked experience and needs improvement on his decision making.
Hadi Sacko: 5
The agile winger started the game brightly with his runs, crosses and dribbles, but faded away as soon as Reading broke the deadlock. Was replaced by Doukara at around 60th-minute mark.
Pablo Hernandez: 6.5
Was good with his deliveries from set-pieces, came close to find the net, linked up well with Pedraza, but failed to alter the scoreline.
Alfonso Pedraza: 6
Impressed with his footwork, constituted a few counter attacks, whipped in a few decent efforts, but failed to generate anything spectacular before being replaced by Kalvin Phillips.
Chris Wood: 5
The top-scorer of Championship had a quiet outing as he was mostly isolated and kept in control by Liam Moore and Tyler Blackett.
Substitutes
Souleymane Doukara: 6.5
Doukara came in place of Sacko and had a positive influence towards the end. Offered physicality up front and came close to equalise with his strike from range, but the effort came off Reading keeper Al Habsi and the post.
Kalvin Phillips: 5
Phillips replaced Pedraza to win the balls in midfield and constitute goal-bound moves engaging the attackers.
Kemar Roofe: NA
Came late into the game in place of Vieira. Did too little to warrant a rating.
