Max O'Leary - 6
Only had one shot on target to deal with in the first half which was easily dealt with. Had no chance with either goals.. A couple of nervy moments outside of his area including scuffing a clearance.
Zak Vyner (off King, 80) - 5
Did well to use his strength against Joao when the striker headed wide in the opening couple of minutes. Allowed his runner to get across him for the goal which proved to be the defining moment when City were relatively comfortable.
Timm Klose - 6
Was locked in an intriguing, physical battle with Lucas Joao all afternoon. Came out on top despite taking a painful knock to the head. Shane Long's introduction caused issues with his pace on the counter-attack.
Rob Atkinson - 6
Lucky escape early on when he was almost punished for gifting the ball to Ince. Could have moved the ball quicker and Pearson was left frustrated at times on the touchline. A handful of trademark forward runs and sliced a strike wide with 12 minutes to play. Crucial block off the line to keep City in the game.
Mark Sykes - 6
Didn't get forward as much as we're used to seeing but won his fair share of headers at the near post. Pushed higher up the field after Reading opened the scoring and sliced a decent opportunity wide. A lot more effective in the final 30 minutes.
Jay Dasilva (off 77, Pring) - 5
Got into plenty of good positions going forward but delivery from wide and set-pieces was frustrating. Had one really good moment in the area but opted for a loopy cross to the back post when he could have had an effort on goal. Replaced by Pring.
Matty James - 6
The organiser in midfield, constantly instructing his team-mates. Didn't catch the eye but saw a lot of the ball in the middle with Reading happy to sit back. Didn't have an awful lot of defending to do with Reading's direct approach.
Joe Williams (off 57, Weimann) - 6
Energetic in the first half, possibly one of City's brightest performers in a scrappy contest. Did look to venture forward after his first goal in the week but without threatening. Came off immediately after the opener.
Alex Scott - 6
Struggled to get into the game in the opening 45 minutes which was also down to Reading keeping him very closely marked. Looked livelier in the second period but his set-pieces weren't up to his usual standards.
Antoine Semenyo (off 57, Martin) - 5
Had a glimmer of goal in the first half but hammered his strike well over the bar on the turn. Had one impressive run at the Reading defence but wasn't frequent enough. City didn't have a shot on target until the two strikers came off.
Nahki Wells (off 57, Conway) - 5
Didn't have much joy this afternoon. Forced to drop deeper to collect the ball in the first half and couldn't get a sighter of goal. Link-up play with Semenyo didn't trouble the Reading defence. Frustrated to have come off.
Substitutes
Chris Martin (on 57, Semenyo) - 6
Offered City a different dynamic going forward and linked up play well with Conway and Weimann. His physical presence proved a nuisance without being able to test the keeper.
Andi Weimann (on 57, Williams) - 7
Full of energy when he came on and offered the spark in attack that was severely lacking for the first hour. Got into dangerous positions with City taking advantage.
Tommy Conway (on 57, Wells) - 6
Felt he should have had a penalty for a handball shortly after coming on. Booked for a foul on Meite.
Cam Pring (on 77, Dasilva) - 7
Enthusiastic down the left side and posed a problem for Reading's wing-back. Booked for a challenge on Tom Ince.
Andy King (on 80, Vyner) - N/A
Subs not used: Bentley, Tanner
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