Rams defeat Royals at Pride Park
The home side take the points in fortunate circumstances after a hard fought game in the East Midlands.
The Royals kicked us off in front of a busy and expectant crowd that included 800 Royals who had made the trip to the East Midlands. The vast majority of those in attendance were almost on their feet in the first minute when Dwight Gayle's surged onto a cross into the box but couldn't make contact with the fizzed ball in.
The Rams continued on the front foot and had the first shot of note in the 4th minute when a surging Mendez-Laing run through the centre saw him pick out Louis Sibley on the left hand side. The forward was able to set himself onto his left foot but lashed his effort over league debutant Joel Pereira's goal.
Periera was called into action for the first time in the 11th minute when he tipped a wicked and bouncing Joe Ward freekick away from the danger area. The save came at a price as he needed medical attention following the save, but was able to continue shortly after.
The first chance for the Royals came just after the 20 minute mark, and it was courtesy of midfielder Lewis Wing. The man who has made a name for himself with his long range efforts this campaign had a go from all of 30 yards, but saw his shot go just over the bar.
The hosts went closest to opening the scoring just after the half hour mark with defender Eiran Cashin getting his head onto the end of a Conor Hourihane freekick out on the left hand side. Fortunately for the Royals it would come crashing back off the far post and the defence were able to clear.
It would be a dogged defensive performance from Rubén Sellés' side, with the attacking threat of Derby restricted largely to shots from range. The final moments of the opening period would see the Royals hold form with both teams going in goalless at the break.
Half-Time: Derby County 0-0 Reading
The start to the second half would see both teams come out swinging, with Cashin for the hosts and Mola for the Royals going into the referee's book.
The Rams would embark on a barrage on the Royals goal with an early Swight Gayle chance deflecting out for a corner. From the resulting set piece the hosts would have the ball in the back of the net, only for the referee to signal another corner. They wouldn't have to wait long to open the scoring however, with Gayle pouncing on a Joe Ward freekick and firing into the back of the net.
It bouyed the home crowd who noisily got behind their team, but the stunned Rams supporters were silenced just two minutes later with Sam Smith scoring an equaliser for the Royals within two minutes of conceding. Four in four for our front man, who is well and truly on fire currently.
Hoping to maintain the momentum, the Royals would find themselves down to ten men just before the hour mark. Skipper Andy Yiadom was adjudged to have fouled a Rams player on the edge of the Royals box and would receive his marching orders from referee Breakspear - a tough blow.
Rubén Sellés' team would compete well in the ten minutes following the dismissal. Lewis Wing would test the wall with a free kick from 30 yards, it would deflect out for a Royals corner.
With 20 minutes remaining Derby would restore their lead courtesy of a Conor Hourihane penalty. Joel Periera was adjudged to have fouled the onrushing Gayle in the box, and would be sent the wrong way from the result spot kick.
The Royals would fight as hard as they could in the remaning twenty minutes of the game but with a man down it was a tough task against the in form Rams. Harvey Knibbs would have a difficult opportunity on the volley and would fire wide. The Rams sat deep and absorbed all the pressure Reading could muster and see out the game.
After the final whistle the Reading players would head over to the away section to great applause with 'Rubén' belowing from the 800 travelling fans - they know just how much the Spaniard and his team put into tonight. Looking forward, we move onto Saturday's home clash with Cambridge United with the intention of righting the wrongs of tonight.
Full-Time: Derby County 2-1 Reading
Derby County: Wildsmith, Hourihane (Smith 71'), Bradley (Wilson 71'), Cashin, Barkhuizen, Mendez-Laing (Forsyth 83'), Sibley, Ward (Blackett-Taylor 71') , Gayle (Waghorn 72'), Adams, Nelson
Unused Subs: Loach, Thompson,
Goals: Gayle (53'), Hourihane (70')
Yellow Card: Cashin (48'), Adams (53'), Sibley (79')
Red Card:
Reading: Pereira, Mola (Abrefa 81'), Elliott (Wareham 82'), Knibbs (Mukairu 89'), Savage, Smith (Ehibhatiomhan 81'), Azeez (Dorsett 63'), Yiadom ©, Bindon, Mbengue, Wing
Unused Subs: Boyce-Clarke, Rushesha
Goals: Smith (56')
Yellow Card: Bindon (10'), Yiadom (32'), Mola (49'), Periera (68'), Wareham (90+5')
Red Card: Yiadom (59')
Attendance = 24,821