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Reading FC: Al Habsi; Gunter, McShane, L Moore, Blackett; Van Den Berg, Williams; McCleary, Swift, Beerens; Kermorgant
Subs: S Moore, Cooper, Evans, Obita, Samuel, Meite, Kelly.
In the same week that he signed a new contract with the club, Liam Kelly put in a stellar performance to help Reading produce a stunning comeback against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
Despite the visitors having the most of the early action, it was the hosts who drew first blood just before the half-hour mark. An error from Ali Al Habsi allowed the in-form Tammy Abraham to pounce and net his thirteenth league goal of the season with a smart finish. The Royals attempted to rally themselves back into the game before the break, with Danny Williams squandering a decent chance at the near post after he found himself on the end of a great cross by Roy Beerens. It proved to be their best chance to level before half-time, as Reading went in at the interval 1-0 down.
Whatever words were said by Jaap Stam clearly proved to be ineffectual as within two minutes of the restart the Robins had doubled their advantage. A nice through ball saw Calum O'Dowda break into the box, only to be taken down by a clumsy tackle from Tyler Blackett. Abraham claimed the spot-kick for himself and quickly dispatched it to double both his and his side's tally for the day.
Blackett's day lasted barely five minutes more, as he was replaced by Jordan Obita after 54 minutes. Stam also substituted John Swift for Liam Kelly after 66 minutes, as the visitors continued to try and find a way through the stubborn home defence.
The introduction of the Academy graduate proved to be an inspired decision just six minutes later. A good attacking move saw the ball reach Chris Gunter, who was able to deliver a low cross from the right-hand side into the feet of an unmarked Kelly, who was able to turn and drive a shot from inside the box past Frank Fielding to claim his first senior goal for the club.
As the Royals searched for their equaliser, it was Kelly who then turned provider, capping off a fine performance with a lovely assist. Following a surging run from the midfield, the 21-year-old found Yann Kermorgant with a nice pass, who was able to drive his effort home from just inside the boss for his sixth goal of the season.
But the visitors weren't finished there. With three of the allocated five minutes of additional time already played, the ball reached Kermorgant, who drilled a seemingly over-ambitious drive from nearly 25 yards out through a crowded penalty area and somehow past Fielding, to claim a sensational victory and three points for the Royals.