- There was quite a scrappy start, but we grew into the game well. Really from the Doyle run and shot in the box, which won us the corner for the penalty, until the third goal we completely dominated that game.
- The red card definitely helped in that; it was very unclear what the red card was for when in the ground, but the more I've seen it back, the more I think it was a red card as there was no attempt to play the ball - even if Williams did go down fairly easily.
- Fantastic penalty by Lewis Wing once again - no chance of any keeper saving that.
- The second goal so soon after going 1-0 up was very important for us, as it completely killed Plymouth's drive in the immediate aftermath of the red card. Very well taken by Wing. I don't know if it was related to them having ten men, but Wing seemed to be higher up the pitch than I think he would've been - which allowed for that goal to happen.
- Goal three was a great run of passing (I counted seventeen passes from the throw in we got from their kick-off), with Doyle completing the move with a very composed finish following the Marriott knockdown - which showed great awareness that Doyle would be making that run. Obviously by this stage, Plymouth's heads had completely dropped; it really felt like we could've got six or seven at this point. Would say Doyle is starting to show what was maybe anticipated from him when he joined the club. He's getting the freedom to move into either channel, which is maybe a factor in this; he's able to find space more easily.
- The game did calm down after third goal, with us having spells of retaining the ball - which is decent game management - although the passing still seemed to be mostly purposeful, rather than possession for possession's sake. Obviously the ease at which we could pass the ball around, especially among our deeper players, was helped by them having ten players on the pitch. We still looked a bit uncomfortable in possession when Plymouth did put pressure on us though.
- It was a bit disappointing we allowed Plymouth to get their heads up in the final ten minutes of the first half. They were somehow able to find space on a consistent basis.
- Ehibhatiomhan coming on at half-time was an interesting move. Hopefully that was a tactical decision and not indicative of any sort of Randell Williams injury issue (I can't say I noticed anything wrong with him). Seemed to coincide with us going for a more of a 4-4-2, so implies we simply took the opportunity to try something. I thought Kelvin did well when he came on.
- Plymouth's goal was very disappointing from our standpoint - coming directly from our own corner. That said, they attacked with pace and it was a good finish by their lad to score.
- Hopefully Derrick Williams isn't too seriously injured, as he's probably our strongest centre-back at the moment. We'll see on Monday whether it was simply precautionary, or not, for him to come off. Burns did well when coming on.
- Certainly looked a penalty for them, with Abrefa getting done for pace and clipping their attacker. Vitally important save by Pereira, although it wasn't the best penalty in the world. They probably should've had a second penalty immediately afterwards. Did seem to take some of the sting out of the game; Plymouth didn't create anything dangerous and it maybe contributed to ourselves creating a bit more afterwards: Kyerewaa should've done better with his chance; Abrefa firing into the side netting.
- Our fourth completely killed the game: great ball by Wing; top control and finish by Marriott.
- Would've liked us to have made some subs earlier, given the busy schedule over this period, but the prime period came with the game at 3-1.
Great to see 909 Reading fans make the trip, given the distance for a Boxing Day and the lack of public transport.
One pointless observation: I've bought programmes at two matches this season and we've won both by three goals (the other being Blackpool)...