Cambridge United 1-3 Reading: Player Ratings
Harvey Knibbs puts his old side to the sword with an excellent performance showing the relegation candidates exactly what they’re missing.
Joel Pereira: 7
More busy in the first half today than he has been in the last two games combined, and did well to keep Cambridge United out, allowing Reading to claim the lead.
Made a good save in the opening minute of the game, bravely diving at the feet of a Cambridge player. Followed that up with several impressive diving saves as the half went on and was undoubtedly Reading’s most important performer in the period overall.
Had a quieter second half, and couldn’t do much about the Cambridge goal that opened it, but had done the work he needed to do while Reading were struggling to get the motor started, and played a crucial role in the win.
Louie Holzman: 6
Looked really shaky in the opening minutes, struggling with the pace of the Cambridge winger. Resorted to his arms a bit much and was lucky not to give away a penalty at the top of the box.
Picked up an assist though that will surely do huge things for his confidence, overlapping Wing and receiving the pass before a deflection helped his cross onto Knibbs.
Improved defensively in the second half, making some important clearances, and was much more confident on the ball. Got up into the Cambridge half and forced a few confident passes along the floor to the outside of the Cambridge box.
Booked late in the game as he hauled his man down rather than allowing him past on the edge of the box.
Harlee Dean: 7
Really sharp in the opening stages, helping Holzman when he was struggling. Made some crucial blocks and was certainly Pereira’s favourite teammate as Cambridge attacked in waves in the first 20 minutes.
Managed nine clearances in the first half alone, outdoing Bindon in that department. Won 100% of his aerial duels across the whole day: impressive when Michael Morrison is on the other side at corners!
Did his job well today: doing the defending that was required before moving the ball on to one of his teammates to create with.
Tyler Bindon: 6
Got out to cover the full-back when Garcia was down and made some important blocks both in the centre and out to the left.
Made one brilliant play to suck in a Cambridge defender before striding out of the Reading half, midway through the first half.
A quieter day for Bindon than against Mansfield, but still another solid performance.
Andre Garcia: 5
Immeasurably confident on the ball, and finds himself fouled so often by being able to get a foot in before the nearest opponent.
Could have done more Cambridge’s early second-half goal, allowing his man to drop off him to have an uncontested poke home at the back post.
Moved up to left wing when Camara had to be replaced, finding himself in a spot that suits him a little better.
Mixed in general, and a little wasteful in possession, but much better with his positioning today, not allowing space in behind him too often after the opening 15 minutes.
Lewis Wing: 6
Did well to protect then ball and then find Holzman on the overlap, giving him space to find a cross for Reading’s opener.
Put in some nice set-plays today, including a direct free-kick that he bounced right in front of the bottom corner, requiring a good save from the keeper.
Has such a great connection with Smith, really understanding the types of match-up the striker can win. That said, even Wing will have to admit his assist today was a little lucky given the quality of Smith’s finish!
Struggled a little in the opening stages but his quality shone through as the game went on.
Harvey Knibbs: 8
Took a ball to the snout in the opening stages of the game and needed treatment but didn’t let it affect his performance. Came close to slipping Smith through in a rare moment of creativity late in the opening half.
Repeated the trick from 2024, scoring Reading’s first goal of the year for 2025. Knibbs slid onto the deflected cross, proving bravest of a pack to deflect it in from mere feet out.
Picked up a second goal against his own club as an almost immediate response to Cambridge’s equaliser. Did well to swivel in the box and deflect Savage’s powerful shot beyond a despairing Michael Morrison.
Capped off his fantastic performance to give Wareham a chance from yards out just before injury time. Just the 19 challenges attempted by Knibbs today, with over 50% of them won. Again and of course: leading the team.
Charlie Savage: 7
Had Reading’s earliest chance to shoot today, and put it just high and wide of the top corner. Ran hard as he often does, and his pace is very welcome in a Reading midfield that requires a lot out of its eights.
Picked up his first assist of 2025, smashing the ball back into the box after a goalmouth scramble, and finding a friendly deflection from Knibbs.
Made a good pass against the grain of the play during a Reading counter-attack to get Knibbs into a good spot. Followed it up a few minutes later with an excellent sliding challenge to end a Cambridge attack. Helped Reading win the ball back in the late stages before capping off the resulting attack with a low shot.
Chem Campbell: 6
Won the ball on the edge of the box and drove Reading into a four-on-one situation after a Cambridge corner. Made a good pass to find Camara and keep the attack going, although it then fell away.
One of the few Reading players who consistently looked dangerous on the ball, able to beat a man with his pace a few times, especially as the game went on. Made some really excellent switches of play midway through the second half, pulling Cambridge’s wide formation out of shape consistently for the first time in the game.
Continued to run hard after Reading scored their goals in the second half. Just before stoppage time, he was able to win the ball in Cambridge’s half, and start a scramble that almost ended in a fourth for Reading.
Sam Smith: 7
Not his best performance, but scored one of the best Reading goals in a long time.
Struggled in the first half, not really able to win much against Cambridge’s back three. With the one chance Smith got at his feet, his first two touches let him down at the sharp end of a counter-attack, and he miscontrolled it out of play.
Dropped deeper to find the ball in the second half but still a little mixed. Lucky at one point not to give Cambridge an opportunity to shoot when he lost it in his own third.
Nicely linked up with Knibbs and Wing in the 65th minute, chesting Wing’s through ball on to Knibbs to create a shot.
Scored an absolute peach of a goal to put the game on ice: one of his best in a Reading shirt. With the ball played over the top for Smith to chase one-on-one, he showed incredible awareness to spot the keeper’s positioning and lob him with a powerful first time chip on his left foot.
Absolutely sublime: the beautiful game in action.
Mamadi Camara: 5
Made some smart passes in the first half. Teed the ball up nicely for Savage to get a shot just outside of the box in the early stages. Slipped Smith free in the box, but the striker couldn’t control it. Overall didn’t have many opportunities though as Cambridge controlled much of the play in the opening half hour.
Had to be withdrawn midway through the second half as he seemed to be struggling with his right leg
Subs
Abraham Kanu: 6
Made two excellent first contributions, first getting an absolutely crucial block to stop an almost certain goal, and then eventually clearing the ball in the same sequence.
Showed his pace late on when having to run back one-on-one towards his own goal, winning the race and clearing the ball.
Looks really solid in the back line for Reading at the moment, probably the safer defensive pick over Garcia at left-back.
Kelvin Abrefa: N/A
Made his first appearance for Reading since he was withdrawn with injury against Rotherham United on October 5. Will be hoping to make up for lost time this season, with Reading certainly needing more options at full-back. Not able to get on the ball much in his short time on the field but good to see him return.
Jayden Wareham: N/A
Unlucky not to score just before injury time. Did well to protect Knibbs’ pass out of the scramble but slid his effort just wide of the post. Cleared one of Cambridge’s last attacks well clear of the Reading box.
Tivonge Rushesha: N/A
Came on in the closing moments for Savage to help Reading see the game out. Another player who will be hoping for more minutes under Noel Hunt than he got under Ruben Selles.
Average: 6.3/10
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