"It is a fantastic environment for the fans"

Lucas Joao on overcoming the Potters...

Two goal hero Lucas Joao thought it was a great day all round as we secured our fourth successive home league win of the campaign on his 29^th birthday.

Stoke City were beaten 2-1 with goals either side of half time from the striker, who is now in his fourth campaign as a Royal, and he thanked the fans for making RG2 a great place to play football.

“It was amazing, it was a great atmosphere and a great performance from the team and was the best way to celebrate my birthday,” beamed Joao.

“To get the two goals and the win, it is a fantastic environment for the fans.

“We’ve shown at home we play good football and when we are at home, we have to be strong and to make teams coming here feel it is tough to play here.

“We are doing all the work we can and hopefully you can see that out on the pitch, and it is going well for us.”

Royals fans didn’t have to wait long for the first goal of the afternoon with Joao getting onto the end of a long kick from ‘keeper Joe Lumley and rounding the Stoke counterpart inside the first two minutes!

Despite being back level at the break, Joao was brought down in the area but dusted himself down to convert the spot kick and secure the points!

“I saw Joe had the ball in his hands and I saw the gap they had left in behind, so I made my run and it was a great pass by Joe and I saw the ‘keeper had made a mistake so I saw an opportunity.

“You have to hit the target that is the most important thing and luckily the ball went in, so it worked well.

“Then for the second it was great play from the team and in the end, we won the penalty.

“I stepped up to take it and scored a good penalty, so I was happy!”

Joao believed it was just what the team deserved after the performance they put in and highlighted the work of the defence in ensuring the points.

Joao then looked ahead to next weekend’s game where the Royals look to continue their fine start to the campaign next Saturday when Paul Ince’s side go on the road to Watford.

“We put in some great work behind the ball from all the team and especially from the defenders who were great.

“You could see the work they did, putting their body on the line, and thanks to that we won the game.

“As you can see all the hard work pays off to get the three points and it was good we got them at home too.

“They are all tough games and now it is time to rest after a great performance and then we’ll work towards the game next week where we will go for it.”