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Reading FC 3-1 Nottingham Forest: Player Ratings

The Royals excelled in what was comfortably their best display of the season.

FUSSBALL: TURNIER/100 JAHRE REAL MADRID, REAL MADRID Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images

Vito Mannone: 8

A quiet first half, but two world class saves in the second prevented a Forest fightback. Not at fault for the away side's consolation, and showed good distribution throughout. Unlucky not to come away with a clean sheet.

Leandro Bacuna: 8

A fantastic all-action performance from the summer signing. Charged down the left wing and crossed for John Swift for the opener, earning an assist in what was one of the best team goals I've seen in quite a while.

Strong and composed on the ball, tenacious off it, Bacuna should be a first team regular for a long time based on tonight.

Paul McShane: 7

Formed a good partnership with Moore, helped marshall the Forest attack well.

Liam Moore: 7

Similarly impressive defensively to McShane, but also very composed on the ball. Played out from the back well, even dribbling forward into the midfield a few times.

Chris Gunter: 7

He just might be a better left back than a right back! Gunter looked very much at home on the left, and got forward well on occasion.

In the first half, he forced a few saves by cutting inside and shooting from distance.

Joey van den Berg: 6

A simple but effective job in the first half anchoring the midfield, replaced by Clement after the break.

Dave Edwards: 6

A quiet but mature performance from the veteran midfielder. Protected the back four with Joey in the first half, then alone in the second. Kept Reading moving with clever short passes throughout.

Zinedine Zidane: 8

Oh sorry, I mean John Swift. Perhaps the best performance we've seen from the Chelsea academy graduate - strong on the ball, intelligent passing... and two great goals.

For the first, it was a simple finish from Bacuna's cut-back. For the the second, he started and finished a fantastic counter move - spraying the ball out to Barrow, before getting on the end of the Gambian's dink to knock the ball home.

Sone Aluko: 7

Yeh it wasn't an own goal. I was sat right behind the shot and it was clear as day that Aluko's effort was on target before being fumbled over the line.

Otherwise, a confident, positive performance with Aluko running at the defence to make things happen.

Sam Smith: 5

A tough night for the youngster, who worked hard as a lone striker but to little avail. Went close a few times in the first half but not many chances.

Modou Barrow: 7

Barrow blew hot and cold, but an excellent assist means he comes up trumps. Sometimes guilty of bad decision making, but a delightful dink gifted Swift his second of the evening.

Subs

Pelle Clement: 7

Brought on for Joey van den Berg in a suprisingly attacking switch, Clement was a positive, energetic addition to the game. Good driving runs forward from midfield, and intelligent pressing off the ball.

Yann Kermorgant: 6

A physical presence for Reading up top and led the line well, but no real opportunities to open his account for the season.

Roy Beerens: N/A

Not on the pitch long enough to do anything.

Tries to avoid joke about how that's not unusual for Beerens, fails.

Man of the match?
Vito Mannone
Leandro Bacuna
Zidane (John Swift)
Sone Aluko
Mo Barrow
Other (comment below)
PollMaker