Reading U23 3-2 Sunderland U23
A below-par Sunderland were royally beaten in their final Premier League 2 fixture of the season at Reading on Monday evening.
The Royals produced a well-oiled display with Yakou Meite proving to be a thorn in the Black Cats’ side, carving out numerous openings with soaring runs from deep.
But Reading had to wait ‘til the second period to force the issue, George Brady was caught out as he turned Meite’s low cross into his own net with 51 minutes played before Josh Barrett converted a penalty four minutes later.
The lively Andrija Novakovich then joined in on the act with 26 minutes left, latching onto a sluggish back pass to add a third.
Sunderland didn't give up, though, and were rewarded for their efforts as Josh Maja fired home and then Elliot Embleton netted a sensational free-kick to set up a grandstand finish at the Madejski.
Unfortunately, a third proved to be just out of the Lads' reach and Reading held on to move off the foot of the table in their final game of the season.
Sunderland travelled to Reading eyeing back-to-back victories for the first time in all competitions since November. Three points over Arsenal two weeks ago secured their first domestic win in 2017, and hopes were high they could collect a second straight win ahead of their International Cup final a week on Wednesday.
But it was far from plain sailing against the league’s basement club.
A barn-storming run from Meite carved the Lads in two, Josh Barrett then whizzed an exquisite ball across the face of goal to Novakovich who was in an offside position as he stabbed wide.
Reading continued to build on their forceful start, Barrett bent a strike towards goal with the outside of his boot before Meite flashed a strike across James Talbot’s goal.
Lacklustre defending from Sunderland then worked yet another goalscoring chance for the hosts, Novakovich was the man who got in behind this time only to lift his strike over Talbot and the net.
From the resultant collision with Novakovich, Talbot’s evening was sadly cut short and that meant New Zealand stopper Michael Woud came on to make his first appearance for the under-23s.
The Royals continued to plug away but the general ebb and flow of the match lacked quality as Rees Greenwood sent a free-kick from 25 yards into the seats behind George Legg’s goal.
Jaap Stam watched from the stands with eagle-eyed intent and should’ve seen Reading take the lead when Denver Hume was caught in possession by the tenacious Andy Rinomhota.
The midfielder seized on a sloppy touch and immediately slipped in Novakovich who had two bites at the cherry but missed both before Meite smacked the post with a placed header.
Sunderland escaped.
But it was by the very skin of their teeth with Reading more dominant in every department in a below-par opening period for the Lads.
A much improved Black Cats side returned after the interval. Embleton began to tinker in the middle of the park while Maja climbed on the back of Axel Andresson.
Embleton whipped a delightful corner in from the right, Brady darted towards it but was knocked off his stride by a faint nudge in the back. Protests ensued from those in red and white but the referee dismissed all appeals.
Minutes later Reading gained the advantage. Brady was again involved in it, however this time he was caught flat footed as he sliced Meite’s low cross into his own net.
Four minutes later it was 2-0. The Lads fell afoul of over playing and as Rinohmota skipped through Woud cynically fouled the midfielder leaving the referee with no choice.
Sunderland’s New Zealand stopper guessed the right way but Barrett dispatched his penalty right into the bottom corner leaving him with no chance.
Dickman’s side were rocked, and less than 10 minutes later Reading had another. Brady’s lax back pass had Novakovich interested and he pounced to clinically round Woud before rolling home.
Game over.
Maja netted a late consolation for the Lads, impressively working a yard of space on the edge of the box and then calmly drilling into Legg’s far corner.
And with time all but up, Embleton struck a wonderful free-kick to set-up a grand finale . . . unfortunately though, time ran out and Reading secured all three points.
Plenty to think about ahead of next Wednesday’s European final against FC Porto…
Reading: Legg, Watson, Dickie, Andresson, Richards, East, Barrett, Rinomhota, Novakovich, Quinn (Frost, 45), Meite.
Subs not used: Holmes, Driscoll, Holsgrove, Smith
Sunderland: Talbot (Woud, 18), J Robson, Hume, Embleton, Brady, Beadling, Molyneux (Gamble, 64), E Robson, Maja, Asoro, Greenwood (Diamond, 83).
Subs not used: Brotherton, Wright