Starting XI

Al Habsi - 7

Did everything asked of him, and could do nothing about Barnsley’s fine consolation effort. Made one wonder save right at the end to secure victory which bumps him up a mark.

Gunter - 7

Solid. Steady. Reliable. These are the games where Gunter looks an excellent full back, and as part of a defence that limited high-scoring Barnsley to very few clear-cut chances fully deserves his 7. Didn't need to go forward too much, but was excellent against his winger.

Blackett - 7

Very composed display from Blackett, who has seamlessly slotted in when called for ahead of Obita. When he chose to go forward he did it with purpose, while when he was continually asked questions in the second half he defended manfully.

McShane - 7

As with the other defenders, that second half display whilst facing near-constant attacks was brilliant from the skipper. Aerially and on the deck, he hardly looked troubled.

Moore - 7

Again, Moore has to be marked a 7 for that back four display under the cosh in the second half. Very composed on the ball and let nothing past him.

Evans - 6

Another good performance from Evans, who has surpassed plenty of fans expectations with his displays so far. Tired in the second half, but still passed and moved with calm assurance, and patrolled the back 4 well. Would have been a 7 if the first half pattern (plenty of possession) had continued.

Williams - 7

After a below par performance v Birmingham, this was Danny Williams as he was intended to be by the manufacturers. Tenacious, tough and a livewire of constant thunderous tackles and surging runs, Williams was key to both sides of the Royals performance. Would have been an 8 if not for a silly booking (which he could easily have been dismissed for upon reflection).

Swift - 7

This man makes Reading tick. The run for the penalty, a stunning goal, a calm assurance in everything he did & an air of languid quality in every pass and movement he made is what marks this performance out. Would have scored an 8 if he had received more of the ball in the 2nd half.

Beerens - 6

A good display by the Dutch winger, who was tricky and energetic in a first half display that was as good as anything the Royals have produced this season. Sacrificed for Quinn as he tired after the break. Fitness possibly still an issue.

McCleary - 7

What a delight it is to see GMac torturing defences again. His wing play was exceptional in every aspect (crossing, taking his full back on and shooting), and if it had continued this might have been a far more comfortable affair. His red card was rash, needless and disappointing — if it had cost us 2 points, this mark would have been reduced.

Kermorgant - 6

Ran around a lot, won some headers & got involved in some neat build up play in the first half. However, one gets the feeling that he is still (through no fault of his own) the weak link in our side. Energy levels as usual wane but that's to be expected.

Subs

Obita (for Swift) - 6

Coming on to help Blackett as Barnsley swarmed down the flanks, obita did very well to stop crosses, get tackles in and force Barnsley to try crosses from deep or to play through the middle, neither of which proved profitable. Remains a very good left back at this level.

Quinn (for Beerens) - 6

The main reason we got up the pitch at all in the final 30 minutes, Quinn was a characteristic bundle of frenzied energy. Winning tackles, denying space and getting in opponents faces, the Irishman allowed our defence crucial respite.

Mendes (for Kermorgant) - N/A

Came on to run around & take the ball into corners, which he did as much as possible.