Reading FC conceded a 94th minute decider to fall 2-1 to league leaders Burnley on Saturday afternoon.
The Royals found themselves ahead early in the second half after Tom Ince’s delightful chip found the back of the net. However, Vincent Kompany’s side levelled the score through a Manuel Benson effort.
Reading looked to have held out for the draw, but Anass Zaroury’s header in the final moments ensured all three points went to the home team.
The Royals made the journey up to Lancashire off the back of a convincing home win over Bristol City last weekend.
Paul Ince made two changes to the eleven which saw off the Robins at the SCL Stadium. Ovie Ejaria made his first start since August, while skipper Andy Yiadom returned after serving a one-game suspension.
Reading made a measured start to the game, adopting their customary 5-3-2 formation, not afraid to let Burnley keep the ball. The midfield pressed diligently in the opening exchanges, winning the ball in advanced positions on a number of occasions.
Their industry was rewarded with an early chance as a Tom Ince corner was met by a combination of Yiadom and Mamadou Loum. However, the pair were unable to direct the ball goalwards.
Burnley responded with an aerial opportunity of their own moments later as Connor Roberts glanced wide after good work down the left by Anass Zaroury.
The dangerous winger was the Clarets’ outlet of choice in the first half, getting the better of Amadou Mbengue down Reading’s right.
The home side continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession, with the visitors starved not only of the ball, but of chances. Paul Ince’s men were reduced to a solitary Yakou Meite sighter from the halfway line, having sensed Arijanet Muric had left his goal vacated, but could not find the back of the net.
Zaroury continued to cause Reading problems, finding himself goalside of the backline on a number of occasions. The Belgian would probably have fired his side ahead had it not been for some impressive last-ditch interventions from Yiadom.
The home side looked to switch the focus of their attacks to their right side as the clock ticked past the half hour mark, with both Tella and Gumundsson making dangerous runs in behind Rahman.
A firmly stuck shot to the head forced Tom McIntyre off the field of play. The centre-back seemed to be experiencing issues with his vision.
Burnley could have gone ahead after Tella found space in behind Rahman, fizzing a teasing cross across the face of goal. The Ghanian’s eagerness to cut off the pass saw him go into a book for a late challenge on Tella.
The best chance of the first 45 minutes came at the end of the half. Tella found himself bearing down on goal after beating Mbengue to a loose ball. Rather than take the shot on himself, he found a free Rodriguez who blazed over the bar from 10 yards out.
The second period started much the same way the first had ended, with Burnley seemingly camped in the Reading half. Paul Ince’s men were surely to take their
A loose pass by Mbengue seven minutes in saw Tella driving the ball into the right side of Reading’s box. His cross just lacked the pace to reach Zaroury, who was waiting eagerly at the back post.
The Royals did the seemingly unthinkable in the 56th minute and put themselves ahead thanks to the simplest of moves.
Meite flicked a routine ball around the corner into the path of an on-rushing Ince. The forward beat the keeper to the ball, executing a delicate chip into the back of the net. Reading’s number 10 peeled off to celebrate in front of the travelling fans.
The lead was to be shortlived, however, as Burnley got themselves back into the contest through substitute Manuel Benson. Zaroury did well to wrong-foot Hoilett and drag back to Josh Brownhill, whose cross was headed to the edge of the box. Benson, whose strike beat Lumley.
The home side continued to turn the screw, with Vitinho connecting well with a dropping ball on the edge of the box albeit with too much power.
In the 84th minute, Benson found Zaroury free on the penalty spot, but Loum was able to apply just enough pressure to put off the winger, whose shot was saved by Lumley. A long range curled effort from Brownhill flew wide of the mark and seemed to be the final chance of the game.
Reading had a late shout for a penalty after Ince was felled in the box, however the referee dismissed the appeal instantly.
The Clarets had the last laugh as Zaroury’s good work all game was finally rewarded as he stole into the far post to head home the winner.
