Burton Albion vs Reading. Sky Bet Championship.
Pirelli StadiumAttendance2,750.
Tuesday 30 January 2018 22:45, UK
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson scored twice to ease the pressure on Reading manager Jaap Stam as the Royals ended their eight-game winless run in the Championship with a 3-1 victory at Burton.
The Iceland international struck the opener in the 20th minute of what was a largely tame and dull first half. Leandro Bacuna managed to keep the ball in from a deep right-wing cross and fed it back across the six-yard box for Bodvarsson to apply the simplest of finishes under absolutely no pressure.
Lucas Akins equalised from the penalty spot after on loan West Ham youngster Martin Samuelsen had been bundled over in the box by Dave Edwards just six minutes into the second half.
However, Chris Gunter's precise 20-yard finish from Bacuna's corner restored the Royals' lead just six minutes later.
Bodvarsson then coolly converted a Mo Barrow cross in the 68th minute to effectively put the game out of the reach of Nigel Clough's side, who have now taken just one point from the last 33 available at the Pirelli Stadium, their last home win coming against Fulham in September.
For a side on such a poor run in the Championship, Reading had precious few threats on their goal to deal with in the first period with Vito Mannone, culpable for Albion's winner in the return game at the Madejski in December, not called upon to deal with any serious chances.
Albion huffed and puffed early on but it was Sone Aluko with the first shot on goal in the 19th minute, curling a left-foot shot too close to Stephen Bywater from the edge of the area, barely a minute before Bodvarsson netted to break the deadlock.
Akins' penalty in the early stages of the second half gave Albion hope, the striker confidently beating Mannone with what was the hosts' first attempt on goal, but as the game opened up Reading seized control.
Barrow could have made it worse for Albion with a shot on the turn that was deflected over whilst Bodvarsson had shouts for a penalty when he went over trying to poach another goal at the far post as Burton's defending became more ragged.
Nigel Clough: "The first two goals were poor from out point of view" he said when asked where things had gone wrong for his side. "I didn't see Reading make any mistakes and give anything away tonight. They gave a penalty away which I thought their lad was unlucky with but good players don't make mistakes.
"Last season we were much more consistent than we have been this season and that is why we are struggling at home."
Jaap Stam: "Going in 1-0 up is a big boost to the team after the run we have been on. We were pushing for a second but then we concede an equaliser from a penalty that I don't think is a penalty.
"Then it is really important for the players how they react after that. We have had periods where after we concede one we have conceded another one but tonight the players dealt with it very well. They kept on pushing and kept on going to make sure they got the second and third goals."
