Starting XI

Ali Al Habsi: 6

Never looked far from making a mistake, including dropping the ball out of his hands in the first half. However a brilliant point blank save from Vydra and nothing he could do about the goal means he earns a 6.

Chris Gunter: 5

Frustrating afternoon for the welsh international, gave away the free kick that led to the Derby goal, though still unsure as to what he did, and didn’t seem to get forward as much as he has recently.

Liam Moore: 6

This is going to be a common theme, steady performance, brought the ball forward well.

Paul McShane: 6

Kept Vydra quiet well and showed again that he’s adapting to this new regime, unspectacular but steady from the captain.

Jordan Obita: 6

Struggled at times against Tom Ince, particularly because at times Beerens seems reluctant to track back, however got forward well and with more intelligence from the forwards someone would’ve converted his cut back in the first half by holding their run.

George Evans: 7

Good performance kept things ticking in midfield and got the goal that he’s deserved since joining Reading.

Danny Williams: 7

Showed good drive, didn’t give the dangerous Will Hughes a second on the ball, more of the same hopefully.

John Swift: 5

Teams are figuring out that if you can stop John Swift you can stop Reading, was anonymous against Derby and had Bradley Johnson mark him out of the game.

Garath McCleary: 5

Ineffective and subbed early in the second half for Harriott.

Roy Beerens: 6

Good movement and Derby full back Cyrus Christie couldn’t deal with his trickery, however end product was lacking again, possibly could have had a penalty in the second half.

Yann Kermorgant: 4

Link up play was poor today, wasted a great free header in the first half with no power on the header, improved slightly when Mendes came on, but you wonder against a defence as slow as Pearce and Keogh, would it not have made sense to try Samuel or Mendes from the start?

Subs:

Callum Harriott: 6

Direct running in flashes and had one good chance but hit the shot straight at Carson.

Joseph Mendes: 6

Wasn’t on for long but showed some good direct running, winning a couple of late corners.