Reading 3-1 Bournemouth: Player Ratings

Rafael Cabral: 7

Showed a good command of his box and made a decent save from a Philip Billing shot. Rightly angry at losing a clean sheet due to his wall parting for Junior Stanislas’s free kick.

Tom Holmes: 7

Maybe not as effective going forward as he can be, but it was no mean achievement for him to see £13.7 million Danjuma Groeneveld taken off at half time. Josh King switched over to Holmes’ side in the second half and was also kept mostly quiet.

Michael Morrison: 8

Real captain’s performance that deserved a clean sheet. Showed his confidence in the second half with a dangerous drive forward that could have led to a fourth Reading goal. Barely gave £19 million man Dominic Solanke a kick.

Tom McIntyre: 8

Liam Moore who!? Deservedly named man of the match by Sky Sports and continues to improve every game. Unrecognisable from the player who looked so nervous against Preston in the autumn. Showed his attacking threat in the first goal and his own.

Omar Richards: 7

Did well up against Bournemouth’s two mostly highly rated attackers in £11.5 million David Brooks and King. Again showed he’s developing a good partnership with Ovie Ejaria.

Andy Rinomhota: 8

Part of a three-man Reading central midfield that came up against a Bournemouth trio that collectively cost over £40 million. Superb in attack and defence. His energy and occasional charges forward really drove the team on.

Josh Laurent: 8

Just gets better and better. Showed excellent instincts with the opening goal and was always available to keep things ticking over whilst offering defensive protection when needed.

Michael Olise: 7

Quiet game by his standards until you remember that it was his two set pieces that led to the opening goals. Oh, and the left back up against him, who cost over £10 million, was taken off at the break.

John Swift: 7

Started the move that led to the third goal. What impressed me most about Swift’s performance was how hard he worked and was always looking to press Bournemouth. A side of his game we haven’t seen before.

Ovie Ejaria: 7

What a pass for Lucas João’s goal! Always dangerous in attack.

Lucas João: 7

Created Reading’s first decent chance, which Swift should have done better from. Showed wonderful composure and skill for his crucial goal. It would almost be a surprise now if he didn’t score in a game. If keeps up his current scoring rate he’ll finish the season with 30 goals.

Subs

Alfa Semedo: 6

Brought on to provide some fresh legs. Didn’t really get into the game.

Sone Aluko: 6

Did some good defensive work as Reading were seeing the game out.

Tomás Esteves: N/A

Actually could, and maybe should, have scored in the short time he was on the pitch.

Yakou Méïté: N/A

Good to see back from injury. Had a chance he may have felt he could have done better with. With his decent scoring record, Veljko Paunović now has the possibility of rotating his attackers in the busy month coming up.

Andy Yiadom: N/A

Another welcome return. Will find it hard to push Holmes out of the team but decent strength in depth could make the difference in the next few months.

Average: 7.15/10

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