Reading bettered their club record once again in their game against Everton on Sunday, making it five league wins on the bounce making them the most in-form side in the WSL in that time period. The Royals moved up one place in the league to fifth, ahead of Manchester City, and just three points behind Manchester United in third with a game in hand.
On Sunday, the Royals once again demonstrated their ‘never say die attitude’ as they overturned a one goal deficit to win 2-1 against Everton, thanks to another late show goal by Tia Primmer, her first goal in the WSL after scoring her first senior goal for Reading just 7 days previously in similar circumstances.
“To be fair, it’s a game that we grew in to,” began Chambers’ post match assessment. “We started slow, we knew that and had that discussion at half-time.
“In the last twenty minutes of the first half, I felt we managed to establish some control, started to impose ourselves on them and the half-time talk was about continuing that. We had to stay on top and I feel we did that in the second half.
“I think we were the most dominant side in the second half, and then people we introduced in the second half with the likes of Rachel Rowe and Tia Primmer, they both made a great impact.
“We made a tactical change mid-way through the second half, to keep Everton in their half, and to get a goal on the board. We did that with two great goals, for different reasons, and we come away with another three points.
“The penalty save from Grace was phenomenal, that was the turning points for us where you saw our mindset change and you felt we could win this.
“The introduction of Rowey just gave us some much needed composure in the heart of the midfield, so changing the shape really played to her strengths and gave us someone to build through, picking the ball up from deep, linking all parts of our team.
“I think there was also a couple of other individuals who deserve a mention today, I thought Sanne put in her best performance in a Reading shirt and I know there is so much more to come from her.
“Overall it’s a brilliant team performance, but there was some key moments where players stepped up which turned the game in our favour.
“Where can the team go? That is the question. For us it’s about taking every game as it comes, there is no running away with what we’re doing at the minute, with our feet firmly stuck to the ground.
“Obviously people will start talking about Champions League, but for us, it’s the first year of a new foundation team with the turnover we had in the summer.
“So for me it’s a case of continuing to build on the squad that we have here now, seeing where that takes us this season, and then we can really evaluate our options in the summer.
Despite being well into the second half of the season, Everton was the first time that the Royals Boss had the luxury of picking from a near to fully fit squad, which she says makes a huge difference when trying to change a game like they did on the weekend.
“Yes it’s huge having the majority of our squad available. It’s the first time I’ve had these amount of options to choose from, and then use during the game.
“Having the likes of Chloe Peplow, Rachel Rowe, Deanna Cooper, and even Tia Primmer who is showing what she can do.
“It’s nice having plenty of options on the bench with players who are used to playing at this level, and when called upon I know they can come on and have the desired impact I want from them.