MX23RW : Wednesday, November 4 22:09:17| >> :60:1872:1872:
Oct 24, 2020 at 3pm UK at Madejski Stadium
ReadingReading
3-0
RotherhamRotherham United
Meite (41', 79'), Joao (90+2' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-0)

Wood (90'), Ihiekwe (90+2')

Result: Reading extend unbeaten start with dominant win over Rotherham

Result: Reading extend unbeaten start with dominant win over Rotherham
© Reuters
Lucas Joao added a late third as the Royals claimed a 3-0 win over Rotherham.

Championship leaders Reading stretched their unbeaten run since the start of season to seven games with a 3-0 victory over Rotherham at Madejski Stadium.

Rotherham dominated the first half, without creating any real chances, and were punished when Yakou Meite fired the hosts ahead in the 41st minute.

The South Yorkshire side were also impressive after the interval but Reading added further late goals from Meite and Lucas Joao to claim a somewhat flattering win.

Reading had moved to the top of the table with a hard-earned 1-0 win over struggling Wycombe on Tuesday.

Rotherham had been unbeaten on the road, after securing a win and two draws on their travels, but had not won in their past five matches.

Reading began sluggishly and allowed the visitors plenty of possession going forward.

Wes Harding made a surging run along the right wing and cut into the home area only to see his attempted cross deflected behind.

Rotherham continued to press, with full-back Joe Mattock particularly influential when raiding down the left flank.

And from a well-struck low cross from Mattock, home goalkeeper Rafael had to make a smart stop at his near post to snuff out the danger.

Mattock then had the first shot of the game by either side – in the 24th minute – but his effort from the edge of the box was blocked.

Michael Smith also nodded wide from a Harding cross.

Reading at least defended solidly, and they were rewarded when they went in front four minutes before the break.

Ovie Ejaria crossed from the left and Meite, after chesting the ball down, drove through the legs of Rotherham goalkeeper Jamal Blackman.

It was Reading's first attempt on goal.

Rotherham, as they had earlier in the game, started brightly in the second half.

Florian Jozefzoon should have done better when he tricked his way into the Reading area.

But instead of taking a clear shot when the chance arose, he decided to pass the ball and failed to find a team-mate.

Reading immediately showed more attacking intent than they had in the entire first period.

But they were still unable to create much up front and were fortunate not to concede a Rotherham equaliser through substitute George Hirst.

With his first touch after coming on, Hirst sent a firm shot goalwards, only for home skipper Liam Moore to clear it off the line.

Reading then as good as sealed their sixth win of the campaign in the 79th minute.

Moore helped on a Michael Olise corner and Meite pounced with a spectacular overhead kick to beat Blackman.

In stoppage time, Rotherham defender Michael Ihiekwe brought down Lucas Joao in the area and Reading's top scorer notched his seventh goal of the season from the spot.

ID:419638:cQx
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Reading10712179822
2Swansea CitySwansea10541136719
3Norwich CityNorwich10532128418
4Middlesbrough945094517
5Bournemouth10451128417
6Bristol City105231411317
7Millwall10442108216
8Luton TownLuton10514810-216
9Brentford104331712515
10Watford9432107315
11Stoke CityStoke104331212015
12Preston North EndPreston104151412213
13Cardiff CityCardiff103431210213
14Birmingham CityBirmingham1034388013
15Queens Park RangersQPR103431012-213
16Blackburn RoversBlackburn103251813511
17Barnsley102441013-310
18Rotherham UnitedRotherham10235811-39
19Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10235712-59
20Coventry CityCoventry102261020-108
21Wycombe WanderersWycombe10217617-117
22Derby CountyDerby10136514-96
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds10325610-45

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