Burton Albion 2-4 Reading FC: 60 Second Report

Reading secured their third place finish in the EFL Championship for 2017/18 by securing a 4-2 result at lower mid-table side Burton Albion.

Jaap Stam started the match with an XI that featured club captain Paul McShane for the first time since the 3-0 defeat to Preston on March 11. Ilori also returned to the starting line-up as the manager switched to a back five formation.

That switch worked wonders in the first half, as Joseph Mendes opened the scoring in the third minute with a left footed shot that beat the Albion keeper.

Obita then scored the second for The Royals with a cross shot from the right of the box which flew into the top corner.

The second half began with Joey van den Berg replacing Paul McShane—reportedly because of injury.

Burton started turning the screw in an effort to get back into the game, but Yann Kermorgant scored his 18th goal of the season after some good work by Roy Beerens.

Albion then scored twice in quick succession to put Reading under pressure, with a goal apiece from Ben Turned and Cauley Woodrow with just under 20 minutes to go until the final whistle.

Reading held onto their lead and secured the three points—and third place—when Lewis Grabban’d their fourth of the afternoon after a little pinball in the box.

It could have been five for Reading, only to see a shot cleared off the line—although plenty of fans thought it had crossed the line. At the other end, Moore returned the favour by clearing a Burton shot off the line.

So it’ll be Fulham in the play-off semi-finals. URZ!

Stay tuned to The Tilehurst End for a complete match report, player ratings, and play-off coverage.