Reading 1-4 Fulham: Player Ratings

Rafael: 5

Can’t be blamed for the first three goals, but was very much at fault for the fourth, rushing out too rashly and being chipped by Tom Cairney. Made some top saves at 3-0 to keep the score down, and push his mark up.

Andy Yiadom: 4

The first goal of the night came down his side, which is not the first time Reading have conceded after the Ghanaian international has left space in behind. A good option going forward, but must improve defensively.

Michael Morrison: 4

Reading needed a commanding head at the back against Fulham. That should have been Morrison, but for me he didn’t step up and offer the leadership needed for the Royals to stay in the game, with the game going from 0-0 to 3-0 (and Reading down to 10) in the space of 16 minutes after some sloppy organisation at the back.

Liam Moore: 3

Gave the ball away for the fourth with a sloppy backpass and was generally not tight enough to Fulham’s attackers all game. Needs to do more as captain to prevent Reading being in another relegation battle.

Omar Richards: 4

Had a rough night going up against Anthony Knockaert, one of the better right wingers in the division, so understandably found it tough defensively. Also looked shaky in possession, allowing Fulham to win the ball back too easily.

Andy Rinomhota: 4

Didn’t look convincing defensively on a night when positioning was key. He’s not a natural holding player, and Fulham exploited that. Didn’t get close enough to Cairney for the first goal of the night, allowing the playmaker too much space to finish from.

Ovie Ejaria: 4

I really hope Ejaria isn’t a player that only looks good in a winning team. Not his usual composed self, and naturally struggled following Swift’s red card.

John Swift: 2

Sent off for a second yellow card after 20 minutes, a rash challenge considering he had already been booked. Swift’s lack of discipline effectively ended the game as a contest.

Yakou Meite: 6

He would have got a 5 for an ineffective performance going forwards, but he netted a great consolation with a long-range strike late on. Also had the first chance of the game, forcing a strong save from a tight angle after being slipped through in the early stages.

George Puscas: 5

For me, his holdup play in the first half wasn’t good enough, and gave the ball away too easily - although he naturally saw a lot less of the ball due to Fulham’s domination of possession.

He both created and spurned a great chance in the first half, winning the ball back well, charging upfield, before losing his head and shooting straight at a defender rather than going around with either a dribble or better-placed shot. Had to do better.

Puscas improved in the second half, looking more effective in dropping off, turning and running upfield. One such attack saw him go pretty close after driving up the pitch, taking on a few defenders and firing over the bar.

Josh Barrett: 4

This was his big chance in the first team, getting his first league start since the opening day, but he didn’t deliver. Didn’t create, and didn’t work hard enough in the face of Fulham’s domination of possession. Substituted at half time for the much harder-working Lucas Boyé.

Substitutes

Lucas Boyé: 5

The game was already over by the time the Argentinian came on at half-time, but he worked hard and pressured the Fulham defence as much as you could have asked for.

Lucas João: 5

Again, there’s not an awful lot you can do when your team are 4-0 down when you come on. Won the third most aerial duels out of anyone from either side, despite only being on the pitch for 20 minutes.

Michael Olise: 5

Played a few nice passes in his ten minute cameo - including the assist for Meite’s goal.

Average: 4.29/10

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