The Royals put on a show with a 2-0 win over the Addicks
Two superb goals in the second half from Savage and Smith put the Royals out of sight against Charlton Athletic.
A lively and energetic start to the match saw much of the early play controlled by Reading in Charlton’s half. The first glimpse of a chance came from Akande down the right, as a wonderful low cross fizzed across the six-yard box, but no one in a blue and white shirt was there to tap it home.
Reading showed no signs of letting up in the first quarter of an hour, with another quick passing move ending in a shot from Elliott from 20 yards, though the effort went wide.
Another opportunity quickly followed, as a low shot from Craig hit Smith inside the box. Some brilliant shielding of the ball allowed Smith to create space before attempting a volley, but he couldn’t make the desired contact, and the ball bounced kindly for Mannion in goal.
Shortly after, there was a pause in play as the Addicks’ keeper went down and required treatment. When play resumed, it seemed to fire up the visitors, who began to regain possession and create a few chances of their own.
The first effort for Charlton came on the 25th minute as Reading couldn’t quite clear their lines after several crosses into the box. The ball eventually found Campbell just over 20 yards from goal, who struck a fierce low shot that had Pereira stranded, but it luckily went wide.
A second chance for Charlton came just past the half-hour mark. A late challenge from Mbengue just inside the Reading half awarded Charlton an indirect free-kick. The ball was looped towards the back post, and a Charlton player won the first header. It looked like Ahadme might follow up, but Pereira rose early to divert the ball, and the linesman raised his flag for offside.
In the final five minutes of the half, Reading managed to wrestle back some control, with both sides looking for a breakthrough before the break.
Reading looked the more likely to score with two chances. The first came from Savage’s delivery into the box looking for Smith, but Jones got a vital touch to turn it behind for a corner. From the resulting corner, a short routine ended with Elliott having a shot from outside the box, but it flashed wide.
There was one final chance for both sides before the half ended. For Reading, Ehibhatiomhan combined with Dorsett, who found the full-back’s underlapping run, but the keeper was quick to claim the ball. Charlton responded immediately, with Barry looking destined to score from a cross just 12 yards out, but an outstanding stop from Pereira kept the game goalless at the break.
Half-time: Reading 0-0 Charlton Athletic
The second half began at a slightly slower pace for Rubén Sellés’ Royals compared to the first, but a corner 10 minutes in provided the first opportunity to test Charlton's back line. Wing’s inswinging delivery appeared to match Mbengue’s near-post run perfectly, but he could only skim the ball with his head, and it cleared the rest of the box.
A huge chance followed for Charlton just minutes later. Docherty controlled the ball well inside the box and lined up a half-volley, but Reading were quick to close down the space, and the shot ballooned over the bar.
That opportunity stirred the away supporters, energising Charlton as they seemed to feed off the noise – putting the Royals under a period of significant pressure around the hour mark.
However, the Royals responded to this pressure in style, hitting on the counter to take the lead! Savage was given space to drive forward, carrying the ball a good 15 to 20 yards before unleashing a left-footed strike from distance that crashed in off the post.
There was a moment of concern for the Royals fans when Bindon was involved in a heavy collision, prompting paramedics and the Reading medical team to rush to his aid. After a few minutes, he returned to his feet to a huge applause from the home supporters, but he was substituted, with Dean coming on for the final 20 minutes.
A significant moment followed as Akande managed to dispossess the goalkeeper and seemed destined to score into an empty net, but Charlton’s Ramsay got back just in time to nick the ball off his foot. Ramsay then appeared to pull Akande down before he could reach the rebound, sparking protests from the Reading players.
However, that incident was soon forgotten when Akande produced a moment of sheer individual brilliance down the right wing. It looked like he was all alone, but out of nowhere came Smith, meeting Akande's inch-perfect ball into the box. Smith, who hadn’t had many sights of goal, finished with precision and skill.
Entering the final 10 minutes, Charlton began to throw everything at Reading, but opportunities to break remained. Each forward foray was quickly countered by instructions from the sidelines to get back into position.
In the closing stages though, it looked as though Charlton had exhausted all options, as Reading calmly saw out the game to pick up a huge three points.
Full-time: Reading 2-0 Charlton Athletic
Reading: Pereira, Dorsett (Abrefa 61’), Elliott, Craig, Savage, Ehibhatiomhan, Smith, Bindon (Dean 72’), Mbengue, Wing, Akande (Tuma 85’)
Subs: Boyce-Clarke, Rushesha, Wareham, Garcia
Goals: Savage (66’), Smith (75’)
Yellows: Mbengue (32’), Dean (84’), Smith (77'), Abrefa (90+6')
Charlton Athletic: Mannion, Ramsay, Gillesphey, Mitchell, Jones, Coventry, Campbell (Godden 67’), Ahadme (Aneke 67’), Berry (Anderson 45’), Docherty, Small
Unused subs: Maynard-Brewer, Edmonds-Green, Campbell, Kanu
Yellows: Berry (19’), Godden (75’), Jones (87')