Three points in the home opener against the Latics.
An early goal from Savage set the tempo for the Royals, with Ehibhatiomhan getting his second of the campaign to round off a positive return to RG2.
The tempo in the opening five minutes matched the electric atmosphere inside the ground, and the Royal supporters didn’t have to wait long for the first chance of the game. Ehibhatiomhan showcased some impressive footwork, cutting inside and weaving between three defenders before wrapping his foot around the ball, forcing Tickle into a fine save.
Moments later, Reading found the breakthrough, with Savage blowing the roof off the Select Car Leasing Stadium. The move began with a delicate chipped ball to the back post by Wing. Ehibhatiomhan rose highest to nod it back across the penalty area, where Savage was unmarked and coolly slotted the ball into the far corner.
It beggared belief that the Royals hadn’t doubled their advantage just five minutes later. Wing’s delivery from a corner caused chaos in the box, with multiple efforts fired towards the Wigan goal. The best chance fell to Camara, whose shot appeared to cross the line, but Wigan desperately managed to hold on and eventually clear the danger.
Wigan posed little threat to Pereira in the opening 20 minutes, with their best opportunity coming from Sessegnon on the right side of the penalty area, but his shot crashed into the side netting.
After that chance, the momentum shifted in favour of the Latics, and Hugill had their best opportunity of the game so far. He latched onto a long ball over the top and aimed for the back post, but Pereira was well-positioned to make the save and claim the ball.
Reading hadn’t created another clear chance since the corner scramble, but ten minutes before the break, Smith will feel he should have doubled the Royals’ lead. A wicked inswinging ball from Ehibhatiomhan found Smith’s run at the back post, but he couldn’t keep his volley down, and it sailed over.
Two chances in quick succession followed, with Camara going close from the edge of the box. Reading’s high press won the ball deep inside Wigan’s half, and Smith quickly laid it off to Camara, whose low shot went just wide. Elliott, who had made an excellent overlapping run, was quick to point out that he was available for the pass.
Another wonderful move saw the Royals switch play from right to left, with Ehibhatiomhan finding space and, full of confidence, receiving the ball before beating his opposing full-back. He cut inside and aimed for the top far corner, but the ball bounced on the roof of the net—so close!
Half-time: Reading 1-0 Wigan Athletic
The first five minutes of the second half mirrored the opening period, with the Royals controlling much of the early possession and creating some promising openings, but they struggled to produce a clear effort on goal.
Wigan also began the second half with real intent, focusing much of their build-up play down both flanks, but they found it difficult to make that final pass to create a meaningful chance.
However, it was Reading who were clinical, doubling their lead seven minutes into the second half. Elliott played a wonderful pass to set Smith away, and although the keeper was quick off his line to prevent a clear shot on goal, the deflection fell kindly for Ehibhatiomhan, who simply tapped into an empty net.
The goal seemed to sap the energy from Wigan for the next 10-15 minutes, with the Royals looking likely to score the next goal. They maintained possession, won fouls, and delivered an all-around professional performance in front of their home supporters.
The pace of the game dropped significantly as it entered the final 10 minutes. Wigan continued to try to exploit the wings, but they were unable to deliver any dangerous balls into the box. The Royals comfortably dealt with each threat, earning warm applause from the supporters with every successful clearance.
In the final moments, Azeez tried to get in on the action with a lung-busting run through the heart of Wigan’s defence. His low shot, aimed at the far corner, was read well by Tickle, who dived on the ball. Just moments later, Azeez displayed a wonderful piece of skill to turn and evade a defender, but his left-footed effort couldn’t quite find the target.
Full-time: Reading 2-0 Wigan Athletic
Reading: Pereira, Dorsett (Garcia 74’), Elliott, Craig, Savage, Ehibhatiomhan (Azeez 60’), Smith (Wareham 89’), Bindon, Mbengue, Camara (Abrefa 89’), Wing ©
Subs: Boyce-Clarke, Rushesha, Kanu
Goals: Savage (6’), Ehibhatiomhan (57’)
Wigan Athletic: Tickle, Chambers, Aimson, Sessegnon (Ramsay 60’), Rankine McManaman (60’), Smith (Stones 77’), Hugill, Aasgaard (Sze 60’), Kerr ©, Adeeko, Thomas (Jones 60’)
Unused subs: Lonergan, Carragher
Yellows: Kerr (39’), Aimson (70’), Sze (74’)