Millwall 2-1 Reading FC: Player Ratings

Vito Mannone: 5

Couldn’t do much about the first goal, but should probably have dealt better with the second, hence the reduced score. Distribution largely fine, bar the odd shaky moment.

Chris Gunter: 6

Standard reliable performance in the first half, but he made a noticeable effort in the second half to bomb down the flank, get in behind the Millwall defence and swing some crosses in. They didn’t lead to much, but it’s encouraging to see him trying after the stick he got on Saturday.

Paul McShane: 5

Mostly fine, but a few loose passes put a downer on his evening.

Liam Moore: 6

Solid at the back and his distribution was composed.

Tiago Ilori: 5

Like McShane, Ilori looked good defensively, but his distribution was sometimes sloppy. Not helped by the lack of movement ahead of him.

Tyler Blackett: 5

Another case study for ‘why Tyler Blackett shouldn’t play as a wing back’. Defensively, the former Man United man seems to be getting better, but his lack of outright pace or acceleration hampers his usefulness in the final third.

Dave Edwards: 7

A mixed evening for the Welshman that, on the whole, was quite positive. Apart from the goal, a well-taken header from Sone Aluko’s inswinging corner, he also put in some excellent tackles in his own area to stamp out Millwall chances. Unlucky not to be awarded a penalty late on when he was shoved over inside the Millwall area. As for the rest of his game, he worked hard in midfield without creating too much himself.

Joey van den Berg: 7

A tenacious, strong display in the middle from a man who loves to put his weight about. Strong in the tackle and kept the ball moving with simple passing. Brownie points for winding up the home support by pretending to warm up in front of them after going down injured.

Garath McCleary: 5

Struggled to get into the match and didn’t bring much to Reading’s attack.

Sone Aluko: 6

Drifted in and out of the game, and didn’t settle into his central role until the second half. It’d be unfair to mark him down for not doing well in a position that isn’t for him, so luckily he registered an assist with an accurate inswinging corner that Dave Edwards nodded home.

Roy Beerens: 6

Reading’s best forward on the night, Beerens looked keen to take on defenders throughout the match. Went close with a ranged effort in the first half (Reading’s first shot on goal), and helped the team stretch the play in the final spells.

Subs

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson: 6

Not much time in which to make an impact (he only played for 15 minutes including extra time), but offered Reading a good option when he came on with his running down the channels and physical presence in the box.

Pelle Clement: N/A

Not on the pitch long enough to warrant a mark.