Burton Albion 3-2 Reading: Player Ratings

01/28/2025 06:19 PM

Reading stage a high-speed comeback but fail to capitalise and meekly go down to late defeat.

Joel Pereira: 6

Unable to do much about goals that benefitted from set-play system issues and defensive mistakes, Pereira was mostly a net positive today, keeping Reading in the game at important moments.

Made a really strong important save with the game at 2-0 to keep Reading alive in the game.

Reading failed to capitalise on the momentum generated by their charge back to 2-2. They would have thrown the lead away immediately after equalising if not for Pereira getting down fast to smother a headed chance.

Michael Craig: 7

Really creative in the first half and could have had more if he'd had the confidence to find Chem Campbell in front of him a few times. Involved in the mixup with Dean for the first Burton goal though, miscommunicating and ending up out of position to challenge the cross into the box.

Got into space on the right side time and time again to help Reading look pretty creative in possession down his side, and was able to find acres of space again for his goal. Receiving it on the right side of the box with pace, Craig managed to re-direct the ball in off the post for his second goal of the season.

One of his best performances in possession, and outside of the first goal he was usually OK defensively as well.

Harlee Dean: 6

Got caught out of position for the opening goal after briefly switching duties with Craig. This might not have been an issue if Bindon didn't also get himself caught out of position. He was unlucky in that regard, but a miscommunication with Craig about the marking in a pressure situation was punished.

Slid in to clear out a dangerous cross along the ground just before the hour mark. Won his one-on-one battle, rising highest at the back post to head home for Reading across the 'keeper… and onto Sam Smith's foot.

Tyler Bindon: 6

He'll be disappointed by his role in the first goal. Bindon jumped out of defence to make a challenge and got to the ball, but careened it off his shins and had to go chasing, eventually being dispossessed and caught out of position.

Did make one exceptional step-out of defence in the first half that helped to shut down a dangerous Burton attack. Cut out a dangerous-looking cross with an acrobatic clearance just after the break.

Really accurate on the ball today, and helped Reading to dominate possession in large positions on the ball. Accurate long and short.

Andre Garcia: 5

Went down uncomfortably twice just before half-time, and had also just picked up a yellow card, but came out of the tunnel again for the second half and immediately made a good play. Making a vital interception, he cut out the kind of pass that he's had trouble with in the seam between him and the centre-back for much of the season.

Couldn't quite find the creativity he's had at other times this season though and was overshadowed by Kelvin Abrefa who replaced him an hour in.

Lewis Wing: 5

Played a really inviting ball low across the front of the box just after the hour mark that just evaded the onrushing Camara. That defined much of Wing's evening, with many of his passes just missing their intended targets in the final third.

Overall he was less creative than Savage and less aggressive off the ball than Knibbs, but did manage some important challenges and important passes forward.

Charlie Savage: 7

Worked really hard today and didn't deserve to be on the losing team. On top of that though, he was creative in a productive way.

Bright on the ball in the first half and got the best of Reading's chances in that period. Took a stinging shot on the half volley that swung just over the net early in the half, before following it up with a curled effort that went just wide of the post later. Complimented that with a few nice balls forward for Garcia to chase.

In the right place at the right time to stop a dangerous Burton attack right in front of the Reading goal just before the hour mark.

Harvey Knibbs: 6

Won the ball nicely a few times high up the pitch early in the second half, but just made the wrong decision at the wrong time on the ball. Beat a player with a fantastic spin turn after winning one such challenge.

Managed to win more duels tonight than lost possession, and provided much of the grit in Reading's midfield. On the pod we've discussed players who look tired, but Knibbs really shows no such signs.

Better tonight than he has been on the ball in recent weeks and had to be brought down for fouls multiple times due to his direct running.

Sam Smith: 7

Managed to win 80% of his aerial duels today, with it being one of his better hold-up performances. Hit the ball well with his first chance to strike: a long-range shot with Burton's defence scrambling to catch Smith's run in behind.

Made a really nice creative play to smash the ball across the box for Craig to finish, and had been threatening to do something similar earlier in the game.

Appears to be credited for the second Reading goal currently, but made not much more than a last-second flick on Harlee Dean's header past the 'keeper.

Chem Campbell: 5

He was used more as a role in buildup and early chance creation today than anything else and wasn't involved much when the game got to the sharp end. Touched it almost as little as Sam Smith all the way up top together but did get one great chance: being found right in front of the goal with a cross but not able to turn it home, with his header hitting the bar.

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 5

Does help Reading to balance out their play a bit on the ball, but doesn't look fully fit. Regardless, it's good to see him deemed well enough to make a start and he should gain in confidence.

Reading had a lot of the ball today and he got more of it than Campbell despite being on the field for less time. He started the second half by whipping in a really nice cross that should have earned Reading a corner when a Burton defender bundled it out. Ultimately though, he didn't look fully ready to take on a man yet.

Subs

Kelvin Abrefa: 6

Looked extremely confident on the ball today, making a difference to Reading's left side when he came on for Garcia. Moved inside as well to provide extra passing options as Reading continued to have complete control of the ball.

Didn't misplace a pass all day, though occasionally went safe when he could have gone for a more creative ball, especially after Reading had equalised.

Still, maybe did enough to suggest he should start at the position vs Bolton.

Mamadi Camara: 5

Won the ball high up the field in the buildup to the Craig goal to get Reading started in the game. Played Smith into the box with space and time to find a good pass for Craig to slam home.

Couldn't manage much after that though, playing out on the right and not quite having the same connection with Knibbs that Campbell does. Lost the ball in his feet in Reading's last chance to attack.

Jayden Wareham: N/A

Came on too late to make a difference in the game, winning aerially but not able to find a Reading player with a knockdown.

Average: 5.84/10

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