Royals see off struggling Norwich

Reading continued their solid home form with a 3-1 victory over struggling Norwich City at the Madejski Stadium, which keeps Jaap Stam’s side third and saw a fifth consecutive home win.

Stam made two changes from the side that beat Blackburn last week and surprisingly it was two of the goalscorers that were replaced, as Danny Williams came straight back into the side for Evans and Kermorgant replaced Samuel up top. Interesting call from the gaffer, especially to drop the reliable Evans and keep Joey in there; the experience of Yann coming in does make a bit more sense.

We nearly got off to the best possible start, as a long ball over the top was perfect for the onside onrushing Kermorgant, who tried to square to Williams but Bennett recovered in time to cover the run and clear for a corner. Good early intent from the Royals, but that was as good as it got in the first half an hour for Stam’ side, as the next thirty minutes were to be dominated by the away side.

Reading couldn’t get into their usual stride with their passing game, as the Canaries obviously did their homework on pressing us high up, as we struggled to get any fludity to our game. The visitors were playing the better football without really testing Al-Habsi. Alex Tettey had the only effort of note in this spell, as he drove forward and hit an effort with his right, which was into the arms of Al-Habsi.

The Royals slowly started to build their confidence again after a tough spell, as McCleary was getting some joy down the right side. The key moment came when Beerens had too much flair for Pinto, who brought down the Dutchman just outside the area on the byline. Liam Kelly’s fantastic ball in was attacked superbly by Kermorgant, who rose higher than everyone else to open the scoring.

It wasn’t deserved on the run of play, but shows the defensive resilience we have at the moment with our backs against the wall. Jonny Howson may have thought he could have levelled the game up in injury time, as Brady’s inswinging free kick wasn’t dealt with, but the former Leeds players’ effort was blocked away well by Blackett. Reading went in ahead at the break, without playing very well.

Norwich started the second period the much brighter of the two sides, as Bassong had a header saved from a corner and the dangerous Oliveira had a low cross-shot that wasn’t attacked by a team mate. Getting a goal on the break looked like the only outlet for the Royals and Kermorgant nearly did that, as the Frenchman’s had an audacious effort from 25 yards that just curled over Ruddy’s crossbar.

The equaliser did come for Alex Neil’s side, as neat interchange on the right side allowed Naismith a clear run on goal and his pull back was superbly finished by the on-rushing Nelson Oliveira. It was deserved for the away side, and they should have gone in front minutes later, as a cross to the back post was attacked by Ryan Bennett, but could only find the side netting from an acute angle.

The gamechanger proved to be a red card for Norwich and a penalty for Reading twenty minutes from time. Kermorgant was a threat from set pieces all game and he won a goalbound header again, but was saved superbly – not by Ruddy though, it was Jonny Howson who stuck out a hand to deny the forward. The referee Andy Davies had no choice but to point to the spot and send Howson for an early bath.

Kermorgant stepped up to take the responsibity, but somehow hit the bar with a Paneka penalty, that would have brought nightmares back from his Leicester days, but McCleary was on hand to rise like a salmon and head into the net from the rebound. Another missed penalty and rebound scored, we must work on that in training surely? Either way, it put the Royals in front with an extra man.

Alex Neill responded by taking off the dangerous Nelson Oliveira, much to the bemusement of Reading fans and annoyance of Norwich fans, with both fans singing together ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’. Amongst all this, we saw a return of Johnny Swift to the playing field, as he replaced the impressive Kelly. It was a Swift return from him too, to pardon the pun, as he played a key part in the third goal.

It was a great goal all-round, as Al-Habsi launched the ball to McCleary, who switched to Harriot, played a lovely one-two with Swift, and finished with a stunning strike off the post to seal the points in injury time. It wasn’t the prettiest performance from our usual recent standards, but three points is greatly appreciated nonetheless. We now move on a tough test against Fulham on Friday night.

Reading – 4-3-3: Al-Habsi; Gunter, McShane, Moore, Blackett; Van den Berg, Kelly, Williams; McCleary, Kermorgant, Beerens.
Subs: Moore, Cooper, Watson, Evans, Swift, Harriott, Samuel.

Norwich – 4-4-1-1: Ruddy; Pinto, Bennett, Bassong, Brady; Howson, Tettey, Dorrans, Murphy; Naismith; Oliveria.
Subs: McGovern, Martin, Klose, Olsson, Pritchard, Hoolahan, Jerome.