Reading 3-1 Peterborough United: Player Ratings
Reading put in a braver performance than usual to put the Posh to the sword before they can reply.
Joel Pereira: 7
Alert early on in both halves to sweep up balls that were played over the top in behind the Reading backline. Got down well in the 34th minute to cut out a dangerous back-post low cross.
Pulled himself out of position for Peterborough’s first goal, and couldn’t recover in time to get down low for the save. Saved Reading from conceding two in quick succession minutes later by diving strongly to his left to stop a shot from the winger.
Made a fantastic save in second-half injury time, getting down low to his right to stop a powerful shot from an unmarked Posh winger.
Tivonge Rushesha: 6
Began stepping forward well in the back half of the second half, with a lot of Boro’s threat coming down the opposite side. Shows good agility and can escape pretty dedicated pressure.
Had a chance to continue an attack early in the second half but sloppily put the ball out of Campbell’s reach.
Generally though, solid defensively in a fairly even contest with his winger throughout the match.
Michael Stickland: 7
Steady in the first half. Didn’t have to do much in the way of committed defending, with a lot of Peterborough’s attacks coming on the counter-attack with the game stretched. Had Wing’s help in buildup, and thus wasn’t asked to do much in the way of difficult passing.
Made his first really impressive contribution in the 47th minute, timing a sliding tackle from the side really well, retrieving the ball and none of the man.
Made another fantastic tackle in the 67th minute, denying the Posh a second chance to shoot.
Andy Yiadom: 6
Played in his third different position since returning by slotting in at left centre-back. The oldest of Reading’s makeshift backline by a decade, Yiadom used his experience well today, and gave us a few flashes of his class.
Made a fantastic intervention in first-half injury time, hustling across to delay a player who had been sent into Reading’s box.
Helped Reading stay calm in the late stages, booting clear some loose touches when Peterborough were able to beat the defenders around Yiadom.
Blocked a late shot from point-blank range, keeping his position well.
Kelvin Abrefa: 6
Played on the left side of the back four today and had a tough assignment against a speedy winger. Caught out by one pass in behind shortly after the opening goal that should have resulted in a Peterborough equaliser.
Brilliant in the build-up to the Campbell goal and similar situations though. Really good with both feet in small spaces.
Recovered really well just after the hour mark when he gave away the ball - sprinting back before shoving his man off the ball.
Let himself give the ball away sloppily in the closing stages, needing Yiadom’s help to get it clear. This was a great performance overall. It was better in possession than out, but you can’t deny Abrefa puts in good effort: indeed he got back well to block the ball away in the final two minutes.
Lewis Wing: 7
Spent much of the day operating very deep in build-up with Tyler Bindon out of the lineup. Seemingly as a result, Wing was able to dictate much of the tempo of the game.
Hit some absolutely fantastic crossfield lobs that were able to take advantage of Peterborough’s… liberal interpretation of the offside line. Liked Camara as a target, putting the winger through into the final third twice in the opening half.
Timed his interventions for stepping in to disrupt Peterborough counter-attacks pretty well in the first half, picking up three successful tackles in the opening half hour.
Tried a few shots from outside of the box today, but couldn’t quite find the right angle.
Charlie Savage: 8
Surrounded by players who were operating really dynamically in Abrefa and Camara, Savage was able to get involved in a lot of great areas today. Regularly made quick smart decisions in tight spots, one timing the ball into space.
Jumped onto a very sloppy free-kick in the Peterborough third and tried a chip of the 'keeper, just not quite getting the power on it he needed.
Overlapped really well and put in a fantastic cross for Camara at the back post for the second goal. Got very lucky to not give away a penalty just after, bundling into the back of the striker when he was clean on goal.
Sent Darren Ferguson’s blood pressure into space minutes later by springing forward to shunt home a really well worked third.
Hit a fantastic volley from Knibbs’ flyball into the box, which needed a strong save. Followed it up by helping Reading put the ball in the net a fourth time, but found Wing in an offside position.
Harvey Knibbs: 6
Involved in Reading’s pressing movements in the first half as the Royals looked to chase down Peterborough’s patient passing build-up. Had some great moments in that pursuit, winning it in the final third a few times, and winning it to start the play for Reading’s second goal.
Got his goal in emphatic fashion, smashing Camara’s potentially goal-bound header into the roof of the net and firmly claiming it!
Made a fantastic cross for Savage to hit in the 80th minute, teeing it up into the air in front of a stretched Posh defence.
Chem Campbell: 6
Closest to the opening goal, strongly riding a challenge, helping to force a deft touch past the 'keeper.
More of the play went down the other side today, leaving Chem needing to go one-on-one with a player often to get a cross off. Struggled with beating a man a little but was often able to retain possession in some tricky areas.
Linked up well with Knibbs when the pair were close together.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 5
Had possibly the most crucial involvement in the opening goal, showing good footwork and movement to get clear and deliver a dangerous ball back in front of net. Really couldn’t do much in the way of winning balls after that though, losing 80% of his duels in the first half.
Moved out to the left when Camara was subbed in the second half, but wasn’t really able to get onto the ball much out there either, getting only 12 touches in the game in total.
Made a crucial play to get Reading on the road to victory early though, which can’t be understated.
Mamadi Camara: 7
Did well for the opening goal, helping work it through towards Chem Campbell, popping up in a few good spots.
Slyly beat the offside trap to get miles clear minutes later and could have scored but couldn’t quite take down the ball before he was charged down by the ‘keeper.
Had his shirt ripped to shreds when he stretched to reach one ball across the front of the Posh goal.
Came so close to putting two Reading players clear in front of goal in the 52nd minute, but couldn’t get enough power on his backheeled flick.
Heavily involved in the second goal, rising high with the full-back to head Savage’s cross back towards Knibbs, picking up another goal involvement for 2024/25. Withdrawn shortly after, but a good performance from Camara.
Subs
Jayden Wareham: 6
Brought on to win more balls over the top, and immediately did that twice, with his second aerial win resulting in a goal. Wareham did really well to dance the ball down with the outside of his boot before whipping it across goal for his mate Charlie Savage to thud home.
So close to joining the ranks of recent Reading youngsters scoring bicycle kicks (Tom Holmes, Bindon) when he got good contact from a corner, but saw his shot blocked on the line.
Adrian Akande: 5
Came on late as Reading looked to see things out, and was immediately positive, running forwards towards the goal. Needed to do more off the ball though and heard a message to that effect from both Savage and Noel Hunt in his time on the field.
Tom Carroll: N/A
Jumped forward well in his short time on the field and helped provide a bit more energy to a Reading team that was flagging at the time. A little rusty with his passing and put his teammates in tough positions at times, but showed good creativity.
Also showed a cynical side, sending his short cameo into the referee’s book by unfussily pushing over a Peterborough player rushing into the box.
Billy Bodin: N/A
Couldn’t seem to quite understand where he was playing as Reading changed shape late with the triple substitution. Linked up with Carroll once but not in the right position otherwise.
Louie Holzman: N/A
Came on late to help Reading see out the game but was barely needed in his time on the field.
Average: 6.3/10
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