Reading 3-2 Luton Town: Player Ratings

Joel Pereira: 6

Called into action for the first time in the 17th minute, making a really strong save from an effort deflected off Wing’s foot from a corner. Followed that up with a low claim along the floor from a shot in the box. Threw himself across his goal in the 35th minute to gather in a fast-paced low shot. Took a knock in the process. 

Could do nothing about the first Luton goal, watching it snatched into the side netting right in front of him. Maybe would want another crack at the second but Lonwijk hit it with real venom in an uncontested central space. Made a really great high claim in a crowded box shortly after Reading picked up their third. 

Did really well in the 93rd minute to first beat away a cross-come-shot, and then jump highest to claim a dangerous header back into the centre.

Andy Yiadom: 6

Picked up his first league start of the season, replacing Abrefa in the lineup. Played more compactly and conservatively than the young full-back who has occasionally looked more like a winger this season. Often closer to O’Connor than Abrefa had been and helped him in the box a few times, clearing one out powerfully midway through the first half. 

Moved over to the left side when Abrefa came on in the 70th minute. Booked shortly after for a mistimed tackle down the line. Withdrawn for Burns as Reading closed it out.

Paudie O’Connor: 5

Started the game by jumping high when Reading were pressing, often level with Wing and Savage. Showed good pace in a foot race in the 33rd minute, sprinting back and sliding in to stick the boot on the ball. Couldn’t quite pick out his targets when going long today, but didn’t stop trying.

Again struggled a little in a game that was played more on the floor than in the air, but will have plenty of opportunities to show his aerial prowess in League One this season.

Derrick Williams: 7

Put a ball into a great area for Marriott to chase in the 17th minute, leading to the Luton keeper scrambling it out of play. Generally a little more comfortable on the ball than O’Connor, and happy to dribble forward to meet the first wave of press.

Slides across behind O’Connor in emergency situations so so well, and had one of his recoveries of the season in the 34th minute, perfectly timing a slide in the box. 

Opened the second half by conceding a corner but was the first man to meet it when it entered the box. Had a crazy moment just after the hour mark when he mishit a pass and then went into a challenge to regain the ball with his legs high.

Jeriel Dorsett: 5

Mishit a clearance early in the second half in a scramble. Couldn’t cut out the cross that led to Luton’s opener, just a half step behind.

Really good in the air, winning when it came his way, and clearing it from deep numerous times, but similar to O’Connor struggles more when the ball is on the floor. 

Lewis Wing: 6

Managed to chase down a slower pass through from Williams to knock it into Kyerewaa’s path to win a penalty. Stepped up and scored that penalty with confidence, sending the keeper the wrong way. Lucky to not concede an own goal when a corner cannoned off his leg and into O’Connor’s chest, testing Pereira. 

Reacted well in the buildup to Marriott’s goal, interplaying with the eventual scorer before feeding Randell Williams in the half space with time to cross. Tried a lob shortly after his goal, but waited a second too long, allowing the keeper to backpedal. 

Slid in to try to cut out a cross just before the hour mark, but could only direct it into the path of a striker who spun and put the gift in the back of the net. Won a late goal kick for Reading when Luton were pushing high up into their box. 

Charlie Savage: 6

Didn’t see too much time on the ball in the first half, but helped Reading to try to press Luton in their own half early on – almost caught a defender on the edge of the box in the opening five. Steamed into challenges well across the pitch, winning five of six ground duels in the first half.

Helped Reading in the build-up for the second without touching the ball, harassing the pass out of the defence, and forcing a mishit that led to Marriott’s goal. 

Randell Williams: 7

Dropped a shoulder on the edge of the Reading box and scurried away from every man chasing him to start the break that led to Reading’s opener. Managed to find a good pass through a seam to Wing to keep the move going when he ran out of room.

Almost won a race with the Luton keeper in the 25th minute when the ball was played limply in behind, but couldn’t quite get there. Took down a pop fly nicely and gave Doyle a chance to shoot early in the second. Got an assist a minute later when his cutback found Marriott’s right foot. 

Kamari Doyle: 5

Hunted for the ball all over Luton’s half in the early stages and showed good two-footedness to get it away from pressure quickly if he did win it in the first half. Quieter as the half went on and Luton pushed their line higher. Often stationed in the frontline of a 4-4-2 press throughout his time on the field. 

Given an opportunity to shoot early in the second half by Williams, but put his left footed long drive over the top. 

Daniel Kyerewaa: 6

Given a wider starting position as Reading operated in a 4-2-3-1 on and off the ball. Earned Reading their early penalty by nipping ahead of the keeper to get onto a Wing knock forward.

Beat two challenges early in the second half for a nice start to a dribble, but he couldn’t complete it, dribbling into a second pair of challenges. Didn’t do much else on the ball through the game, but ran gamely and was strong but not rash in the challenge. 

Jack Marriott: 6

Beat Luton’s offside trap well in the opening 15 minutes to give Reading a chance to build on the edge of the box, but couldn’t find a good pass. Didn’t get on the ball much in the first half, and had a conversation with Leam Richardson midway through the period on his runs. 

Opened the second half with a bang, wrapping his foot around a fantastic finish into the bottom corner when Randell Williams found him just outside the box. Gave it the James Maddison dart throw celebration.

Withdrawn just after the hour mark in his first start since the return from injury.

Subs

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 6

Earned a free-kick in the Luton half immediately after replacing Marriott. Unfortunate to deflect the ball into the path of Lonwijk for his equaliser.

Made up for it minutes later with a fantastic piece of centre-forward play, finding space in between the centre-backs, chesting it away from pressure, and tucking it under the despairing ‘keeper. It must be said, when he scores, he scores some really nice goals.

Made a sloppy foul on the edge of the box just before stoppage time, sliding in and getting booked when Luton were playing the ball away from danger. 

Kelvin Abrefa: 5

Earned Doyle a kick on the ankle by weakly hitting a pass inside when Reading had a chance to break. Not as successful as Yiadom in stopping the ball coming from the right side, but was usually higher up the field with his starting position.

Liam Fraser: N/A

Provided extra legs in midfield as Reading looked to close things out. Made Luton turn and go backward with his running forward from the central area. 

Mark O’Mahony: N/A

Jumped back well and won the ball for Reading, but tripped over it when it was played back to him. 

Finley Burns: N/A

Brought on late to help see out the game.

Average: 5.84/10

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