Reading vs Rotherham United: Player Ratings

Emiliano Martinez: 6

Not a particularly busy afternoon for the Argentine, who only had one shot on target to deal with (excluding the goal). His distribution was generally decent, with the highlight being a long, raking pass up to Nelson Oliveira that sent the striker through down the left. Also played the ball out really calmly in the build-up to Ovie Ejaria’s opener.

Andy Yiadom: 5

Didn’t get forward enough, and was caught out for the header that set up Ajayi’s equaliser.

Matt Miazga: 7

Typically dominant performance and made a good number of aerial clearances to relieve the pressure.

Liam Moore: 7

Pretty solid and composed all afternoon, and made a vitally important block just after half-time to keep the score at 1-0, but needed to be tighter to Semi Ajayi who was able to tuck home the equaliser.

Tyler Blackett: 5

Like Yiadom, he didn’t get forward enough.

Lewis Baker: 5

Not effective enough in possession and, when he was given a great opportunity in the second half with a header, put it straight at the ‘keeper.

Ovie Ejaria: 7

Arguably his best performance in a Reading shirt, Ejaria popped up with a fine finish to wrap up a terrific team move from back to front. Generally good on the ball, although he’ll need to have a bigger impact on the game from a deeper-lying role in future, and went close in the second half after a driving run forward.

Yakou Meite: 5

Better in the first half when he drifted inside from the right wing to link up with Oliveira and get in-behind the Rotherham United defence, but tired in the second half and was brought off for John O’Shea.

John Swift: 6

Decent if unspectacular afternoon for Swift who had a few pops at goal from range and was involved in a few good moves.

Garath McCleary: 6

A much better day for McCleary than he’s had recently, who seemed to be more involved in the final third than usual. His driving run and cut-back for Ejaria’s goal deserves particular praise. When Reading can get him playing like that, particularly on the break, we’ll see the better side of McCleary.

Nelson Oliveira: 4

A quiet afternoon for Oliveira, who’ll look back on the open-goal opportunity in the second half with frustration, although he seemed to be caught off balance. Also gave the ball away cheaply - when a break was on - in the build-up to Rotherham United’s goal. 4/10 may seem a tad harsh, but he looked particularly frustrated and ineffective against the Millers, and fluffed his lines when it mattered most.

Subs

John O'Shea: 5

Didn’t have any noticeably good impact on the game. Jose Gomes presumably threw him on with the intention of withstanding an aerial barrage, but O’Shea’s lack of mobility were evident in the closing stages.

Callum Harriott: 5

Can’t remember him doing anything.

Modou Barrow: 5

Did really well to nick the ball off the Rotherham United ‘keeper and burst into space, but needed more composure rather than gently rolling the ball with his weaker foot at goal.

Average: 5.57/10

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