Reading FC went top of the Championship after defeating Millwall 1-0 on Saturday.
Naby Sarr scored the only goal of the game, heading home after Sam Hutchinson flicked on a Tom Ince free-kick after 14 minutes.
The Royals hung on in what was a gutsy performance, with neither side able to create much rhythm.
Paul Ince’s men could have put the game away in the second half, with Jeff Hendrick and Shane Long both missing gilt-edged chances.
Joe Lumley 6: A competent display between the sticks. Was largely untroubled but did well to deny a dangerous Bradshaw header early on. The Rotherham performance is appearing to be an anomaly rather than the norm.
Tom Homes 6: Solid. Largely nullified the threat offered by Afobe. Did his defensive duties well. A miscontrol in the second half could have led to a Millwall equaliser, but Hutchinson covered well.
Sam Hutchinson 8: Is yet to have a poor performance in a Reading shirt. Snuffed out any opening Millwall had, using a combination of positional awareness and desire. His seven clearances and six duels won helped the Royals keep their third consecutive clean sheet.
Naby Sarr 8: His debut was well worth the wait. The Frenchman’s goal may have decided the encounter, but it was his defensive prowess which will excite Ince the most. Was dominant in the air and seemed comfortable playing out from the back.
Tom McIntyre 6: Was deployed at left-wing back to offer more solidity to Reading’s back line. Clearly not a natural wing-back, but got forward when he could and won the free-kick which led to the goal.
Andy Yiadom 6: A typically tenacious performance from the captain. Struggled to get into the game in the early stages, with Malone, Shackleton, Honeyman and Afobe drifting out to the left at one time or other. Had more joy after the break, getting forward more.
Jeff Hendrick 7: Probably his best performance since the season started in earnest. People will talk about his missed one-on-one, which he should have converted, but his calmness in midfield shouldn’t be underestimated.
Mamadou Loum 6: A quiet day at the office for the Porto loanee, but marshalled the midfield well. Used his height effectively to dominate in the air. Will have enjoyed the week off after playing four games in two weeks. Is still getting used to the division.
Tyrese Fornah 6: Followed up his match-winning performance against Middlesbrough with another decent display. Broke up the play well, using good feet to get out of tight spaces. Ejaria will have his money cut out to regain his place.
Tom Ince 6: Another quality set piece created Reading’s goal. An energetic performance from the front man in what was a quiet outing by his lofty standards. Should have got an assist when he set up Hendrick in the second half.
Lucas Joao 5: Took a knock midway through the first half, which seemed to throw him off. Was not given a lot of breathing space by Millwall’s defenders, but held the ball up well on occasion. Was replaced by Long on the 79th minute.
Shane Long 5: The Irishman will be more frustrated than anyone that he was not able to convert a golden opportunity to put the game to bed. However, he put himself about and
Junior Hoilett N/A: Put in a shift when he came on, but did not have enough time to impact the game.
Subs: Bouzanis, Guinness-Walker, Abrefa, Ehibhatiomhan, Craig
