Reading beaten for fourth time at home this season after Norwich reverse - 7M sport

Reading beaten for fourth time at home this season after Norwich reverse



Posted Thursday, September 20, 2018 by PA

Reading beaten for fourth time at home this season after Norwich reverse

Reading slumped to a fourth successive Championship defeat at home this season as they lost 2-1 to Norwich.

The visitors, winning away in the league for the first time in 12 outings, opened the scoring early on through in-form striker Teemu Pukki.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson equalised with a scruffy effort in the 72nd minute but, less than a minute later, Norwich substitute Mario Vrancic grabbed the winner.

Reading had secured their first Championship win of the season, at the seventh attempt, with a 3-2 victory at Preston on Saturday.

But they had not won at Madejski Stadium in the league since April 7, a barren run of five matches.

Norwich also triumphed last weekend, overcoming Middlesbrough 1-0 at Carrow Road.

They were unbeaten in three league and cup outings but had not won in their past 11 away Championship fixtures.

Norwich threatened first, after a scrappy opening to the contest, from a free-kick on the right of the Reading area.

Moritz Leitner clipped the ball over neatly but Christoph Zimmermann, the Norwich centre back, nodded high and wide of the target when well placed.

Norwich stepped up the pressure, with Emi Buendia testing home keeper Sam Walker with a 20-yard shot.

Then, in the 14th minute, Finland striker Pukki deservedly gave the impressive visitors the lead.

A series of defensive errors from Reading allowed Pukki a free run on Walker and he cleverly beat him from the edge of the area with a low, curling effort for his fifth goal of the season.

Reading did respond, eventually, with Sone Aluko releasing Chris Gunter to the right byline. But the Wales international’s poor attempt at a cross was easily blocked.

Reading did better soon after only for Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul to make a superb save from Yakou Meite’s angled piledriver.

After a poor first half showing, Reading emerged in a more positive mood after the interval.

And they were denied an equaliser only by some stout Norwich defending, with Sam Baldock and Meite thwarted in quick succession.

But Norwich were soon back on the attack, with Buendia blocked out at the last moment and left back Jamal Lewis shooting wildly over.

Reading almost drew level when Baldock struck a post from distance – but the offside flag had alreaqdy been raised.

But they did equalise 18 minutes from the end, after Liam Moore’s header was jabbed on to an upright by Baldock for Bodvarsson to follow up and tap in from close range.

A minute later, though, Norwich regained their lead when Vrancic cut in from the left and beat Walker with a precise shot.

Although Reading pushed for a second leveller, Norwich held on comfortably.

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