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Alex McCarthy: 7
Another fine performance from the young goalkeeper who celebrated his 24th birthday with a clean sheet. McCarthy wasn't called into action too often but did well to block out Simon Church's effort late in the first half and commanded his area well under a fair amount of pressure in the second. Kicking is still a bit dodgy but he's working on it.
Shaun Cummings: 6
Shaky first half but dealt well with the increased pressure in the second. Like Kelly he hasn't got a left-foot so why he was put on the left with Kelly moving to the right is a bit odd especially given that Kelly is likely to see more duty there in the long-run.
Kaspars Gorkss: 7
Not a ball playing centre-back and never will be but Gorkss was strong in the air and dealt with the threat of Church and Stewart pretty well.
Alex Pearce: 7
A similar story to Gorkss, although I think he had the better game of the centre-back pairing. Perhaps a few too many clearances into the stands but I'd rather that than see him making a howler.
Stephen Kelly: 6
Not a great game for Kelly who offered little coming forward despite playing on his preferred side, while he also got booked for a clumsy tackle and in a separate incident was lucky not to give away a penalty. Decent second half performance but Chris Gunter should have little problem displacing him.
Jobi McAnuff: 6
Showed flashes of the old Jobi but was somewhat restricted by having to cover Cummings behind him. Should have done a bit better when in good positions around the box but it was a hard working shift from the skipper. However he didn't do enough to suggest he should start ahead of Obita while Royston will also feel he's got a good chance of getting that spot on the left back.
Danny Guthrie: 6
Not his finest game in a Reading shirt, as while the former Newcastle man was mobile and willing to take the ball, his passing just missed the mark a few too many times and saw positive moves break down at key moments. He's been excellent throughout the season though and you can forgive him the odd night off the pace.
Good display from Williams who would almost certainly have been my player of the match had he not gone off with a good half an hour to go. Did excellently to set up the goal and his dynamism is something we've been badly missing since he and Karacan got injured against Leeds.
Garath McCleary: 6
Like Guthrie, the winger just had a bit of an off game, which again when you consider his good form this year is OK in my book. Had a couple of decent runs in the first half but was largely restricted to defensive duties in the second period.
Billy Sharp: 7
Showed flashes of why he was so well thought of at Donny and Southampton, with some good movement and a fine finish for his first goal in a Reading shirt. His lack of action showed at times with some ropey touches but overall it was a good debut from the loanee and I just hope this is the first of many rather than a rare effort in a short loan stint.
Pavel Pogrebnyak: 7
Seriously what has gotten in to this man since the transfer window closed?! Again an outstandingly hard working shift from the big Russian who fed off scraps all night and did his best to hold up the play. The Pog had some good little linkups with Sharp in the first half but looked increasingly isolated during the second where he was forced to drift deeper and wider to see any of the ball.
Subs
Hope Akpan: 5
This probably would have been a 4 were it not for a good goal line clearance late on that helped protect the lead. Akpan just looked horrifically off the pace tonight, his passing was pitiful and his confidence looked shot to pieces. I don't think the booing from sections of the crowd helped the young player but he looked out of his depth and perhaps a loan spell might be best for him long-term.
Hal Robson-Kanu: 6
Played just off the Pog when he came on but was frequently left 1 on 4 up front on the rare occasions he actually got the ball.
Nick Blackman: NA
Was on for a few minutes in stoppage time, had one little mazy run that did eat up a good 30 seconds though.
