Reading ended their recent run of poor results and home with a deserved victory inspired by an outstanding performance from Jamie Mackie. His two goals and phenomenal work rate lifted the crowd and provided the vital spark which has been missing in recent home games. With all three recognised central strikers warming the bench, Mackie provided an excellent example of direct forward play which must surely make him an automatic choice for a central striking role in the immediate future. His two goals were superbly taken, demonstrating his ability to score with either foot. It is worth noting his two recent crucial goals in away games also came from equally assured strikes with his right and left foot.

Steve Clarke was forced to bring in Cooper to replace the heroic and battered Pearce. The young centre back proved a more than adequate replacement, and Chalobah somewhat surprisingly standing at left back also had a very good game. The energy and pace of Mackie and Blackman up front had Brighton’s back four at full stretch. Williams anchored midfield superbly in the first half and Brighton struggled to escape their own half of the field. Robson-Kanu had a sight of goal early in the first half when he broke through on the left but he miscued his shot and it flew high and wide. Mackie opened the scoring picking up a loose ball outside the box and lashed the ball past a startled Stockdale with his right foot. The Brighton ‘keeper left helpless by the power and pace of Mackie’s strike. Hector should have made it two moments later when the ball fell to him five yards out from a corner, but he tried to burst the net and his attempt flew high in to the stand. McCleary also had chances to add to the lead but on each occasion he inexplicably elected to cross the ball when presented with a clear sight of goal.

Mackie set the tone for the second half racing over two hundred yards to close down three payers in quick succession as Brighton passed the ball around in their own half. Undeservedly Brighton equalised eight minutes after the interval with a penalty from O’Grady when referee Haines was deceived by Ledesma’s tumble in the box as he brushed Cooper’s outstretched hand. The home fans were behind their team all the way this evening and were rewarded with a second goal from the fans Player of the Month, Jamie Mackie, just three minutes later. Having chased a long diagonal ball out wide on the right he cut inside and drove the ball low past Stockdale from the edge of the box. The ball nestled inside the far post and the home fans celebrated their second goal following three goalless Tuesday evenings in succession.

Reading remained on the front foot and only towards the end looked a little edgy as Brighton went looking for another equaliser. A bit of needle began to creep in as Brighton’s frustration and lack of discipline produced some unpleasantness. Mackie certainly managed to wind them up (which, it must be said, was not too difficult) and McCleary and Pogrebnyak allowed themselves to get drawn into it and were each shown a yellow card. Ince, Dunk and Bennett went into the book for Brighton. Reading almost had a third when Pogrebynak and Blackman had a chance to score in a melee which eventually saw the ball smuggled away for a corner. Keown made a brief debut as Reading saw out the six minutes of stoppage time to secure three very important points.

The win lifts Reading a long way above the relegation zone and extends their unbeaten run to three games. With Championship status virtually assured and a good home win, we can all look forward with some optimism to the prospect of a packed Madejski Stadium, a battle with Bradford, and the possibility of a Wembley encounter with Arsenal.
John Wells


Two more goals from in form Jamie Mackie saw Reading defeat Brighton 2-1 at the Madejski Stadium and record their first home win in four attempts. After three straight home league defeats, without scoring a goal, this was a very welcome win. The result and performance hinted at Reading turning a corner as it follows two decent draws at Bolton and Bradford.

The win saw Reading climb to sixteenth place in the Championship and pull 13 points clear of the drop zone. Relegation now seems a very far fetched concept with the season drawing towards a close and big gap between the bottom three. Steve Clarke said his focus was on the league this week, but the reality is that Reading's most important match is next Monday's FA Cup replay against Bradford City. As if anyone needs reminding, a trip to Wembley to face Arsenal in the semi-final awaits.

Clarke's team selection made it clear he was resting players ahead of a busy schedule that includes Saturday's trip to Watford in the league before that huge cup match at the Madejski. Alex Pearce was expected to miss out after breaking his nose at Bradford and found his place taken by Jake Cooper. Stephen Kelly was picked at Bradford as Reading went hunting for the draw but Chris Gunter returned to the starting eleven tonight to give Reading more bite going forwards. Simon Cox and Pavel Pogrebnyak found themselves on the bench giving Jamie Mackie his chance to shine once more up front for the Royals. In a much shuffled side Jordan Obita was entirely absent giving Martin's son Niall Keown a place on the bench.

Keown then went on to make an unexpected debut for Reading as he come off the bench in stoppage time to play out the last five minutes with Reading leading 2-1.

Reading were good value for the win after Mackie scored a goal in each half. Both were well taken long range efforts with the first on 24 minutes after a pass from Hope Akpan setting Reading on their way. Reading could have been ahead before Mackie's goal with Garath McCleary's free-kick going over and Robson-Kanu should have done better with another shot that was too high. The rare sight of a home goal at the Madejski Stadium could have been followed by more before half time with Hector getting in a decent shot on target.

After the break Cooper conceeded a penalty after a push, which was scored by Chris O'Grady on 53 minutes. The visitors were only level for three minutes before Mackie scored his second. Reading had chances to extend their lead with Mackie continuing to look very lively up front. Nick Blackman nearly got on the scoresheet but his strike was just over the Brighton crossbar. With time running out there was a big goalmouth scramble in the Brighton area with substitute Pogrebnyak and Blackman both nearly hitting the target. Brighton never looked like finding a late equaliser but did manage a single shot that was hit straight at Federici in the dying moments.

A home win at last and some goals to celebrate - just what was needed before next Monday!! The side seem to have taken the energy and urgency from the display against Bradford and brought it to this game as we contested every ball and seemed generally very sharp. We were also - for the first half at least - pressing the opposition higher up the pitch rather than simply falling back and conceding the mid-field to them!

Mackie has to be MOTM not just for his 2 well-taken goals but also for the tireless effort he put in all game (well - for the 80 minutes or so he was on the pitch)! Chalobah also impressed me as he did against Bradford albeit playing LB tonight. He is composed on the ball and passes it out of defence constructively. The two youngsters did well in the central defence too. Hector and Cooper looked solid (the penalty against Cooper looked very soft to me!) although their defensive headers invariably fell to the opposition. Williams had another good game and controlled the midfield for me. Akpan was solid and Blackman looked useful.

McCleary and Gunter (almost impossible to name one without the other) created a lot particularly in the first half. Feds had little to do and HRK did little! Pog was great when he was brought on and, for those who accuse SC of ignoring the youth, it was good to see young Keown brought on for the last 10 minutes or so. I think that must have been his debut for the first team unless someone can tell me otherwise?
marlowuk

Well that was a breath of fresh air! Was worried when I heard the team, but it all turned out fine.

Cooper had a very solid game, won loads of headers. The "penalty he gave away" looked very soft indeed (and cost me £205). Excellent in the air. He's going to be a very good player.

Chalobah was quite excellent at left back. Did a solid defensive job but also made a few gorgeous passes out of defence. I would love it if we could get him for the whole of next season. Akpan and Williams were VG in midfield. Williams put in a great shift in the first half. Mackie has to be my man of the match, for his goals, his energy, his closing down. Thought everybody had a good game, even HRK was OK

I expected an unbalanced, disjointed side but first half in particular we showed fight, flair, panache and should have gone in at least 2-0 up. Without Pog we didn't just pump long balls in the air. There was more stuff on the floor, more through balls attempted, and overall, we looked 10 places higher than the last three home games. First half McLeary/Gunter did particularly well A thoroughly deserved win. 3-0 would not have flattered us.
Snowball

Jamie Mackie scored twice as Reading ended a run of three successive home defeats with victory over Brighton at the Madejski Stadium. The Royals were asked by boss Steve Clarke to show the same form as they had in reaching the FA Cup last eight. And they responded as Mackie smashed in from 18 yards after 24 minutes.

Chris O'Grady equalised in the 53rd minute with a penalty after Jake Cooper fouled Emmanuel Ledesma but Mackie then struck from 25 yards. The win means Reading move four points above Brighton and 13 points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

Clarke's side will hope that a home win will give them added confidence ahead of their FA Cup replay against League One side Bradford at the Madejski next Monday, which will be shown live on BBC One.

Reading boss Steve Clarke: "It gives us a lift in the league and that's what we needed. We knew the game was crucial because Brighton were just below us in the league, so it was a big win for us.

"A home performance was important because we had lost the last three and not scored any goals. But I thought Jamie deservedly put us in front. We showed what we showed in recent weeks - grit, character and determination - got ourselves in front again and never looked like losing after that."
BBC Sport

Reading rediscovered their winning touch at the Madejski Stadium when they defeated Brighton with the striker Jamie Mackie scoring a goal in each half.

The Seagulls had cancelled out Mackie’s first-half opener early in the second period when Chris O’Grady struck home from the penalty spot.

Reading made five changes to the side that started the goalless draw with Bradford in their FA Cup quarter-final at Valley Parade on Saturday. Steve Clarke’s team have a league game at Watford on Saturday, 48 hours before the cup replay with Bradford at the Madejski.

Reading’s recent home form had been woeful after three defeats in a row and not a goal scored. Brighton’s away record was poor too – they had not scored in four successive matches.

The unimpressive statistics pointed to a dour encounter but both teams contributed to a lively opening.
The Guardian