News and Views

Two Points Thrown Away At Blackburn

22 August 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Paul Clement said that his Reading team are "up and running" after picking up their first point of the season at the fourth attempt at Blackburn Rovers. However, it was a case of two points lost rather than one point gained after Reading led by two goals at half time only to concede twice in the second half. The Royals were well in control at the break after two goals from Jon Dadi Bodvarsson with Reading the better side in the first half.

Blackburn started the game the strongest and it looked like it would be a tough night for the Royals with Mannone making an excellent save to stop the home side taking an early lead. However Bodvarsson turned things around when he made the most of a mistake in the Rovers defence to break free and put the ball over the goalkeeper's head. That goal with just 12 minutes played saw Reading gain confidence.

Reading had made changes from the home defeat to Bolton and Sone Aluko and Leandro Bacuna were both back in the starting team. It was Blackett that created the second goal though on 25 minutes. A quick move down the left saw the ball crossed in for Meite whose effort was well saved. Bodvarsson was there again to smash home and put Reading 2-0 up.

From that point Reading should have gone on to win the game but instead Blackburn were gifted two goals by Paul McShane who had been preferred to Ilori in the centre of defence. The first on 51 minuts was a clear cut foul inside the box and Mulgrew stepped up to blast past Mannone. With 15 minutes left on the clock McShane was again judged to have fouled inside the area, although it appeared a harsh decision. Mulgrew came forward again to score his second from the penalty spot and give Blackburn a 2-2 draw and a share of the points.

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