Reading FC suffered a last-gasp defeat in the capital as QPR came from behind to win 2-1.
The Royals found themselves ahead on the half-hour mark, after Lucas Joao earned a penalty against the run of play, which Andy Carroll duly converted.
Paul Ince’s men occupied top spot in the Championship for all of three minutes before Lyndon Dykes headed home an Osman Kakay cross.
Despite a more positive second half, Joe Lumley was forced into two fantastic saves to keep his side in the game.
The Berkshire side could not hold on however as Tim Iroegbunam was felled by Loum in the 84th minute, earning QPR a penalty. Dykes slotted home to secure three points for his team.
Joe Lumley 8: Demonstrated his shot-stopping ability to deny Roberts twice. Made another acrobatic save to parry a Chair effort from range. Largely succeeded in finding Carroll and Joao from goal-kicks. His best showing in a Reading shirt.
Andy Yiadom 5: Started at right wing-back before moving to the right side of the back three. Battled hard in what was a steady performance from the skipper, who will not have been 100 percent fit.
Sam Hutchinson 4: Was fortunate not to concede a penalty in the first half after the ball clearly struck his outstretched arm. Received a booking for a poorly timed tackle before coming off injured before half-time.
Tom Holmes 6: Allowed Dykes to get the wrong side of him for QPR’s equaliser. Was otherwise strong in the air, dealing with most of the balls put into his area.
Tom McIntyre 5: Did not do enough to avert the threat of Roberts cutting in from the right. Went about his work diligently however and his effort cannot be faulted.
Nesta Guinness-Walker 7: Fantastic once again. Reading’s best outfield player on the night. Showed attacking intent in both halves, which ultimately allowed Kakay more freedom down QPR’s right.
Jeff Hendrick 6: A good effort from the Irishman, who was the pick of the midfield three. Showed discipline out of possession and constantly looked to receive the ball from the defenders.
Mamadou Loum 4: Seemed off the pace in the first half, not offering the backline the level of protection he did on Tuesday. Improved in the second half, but will be disappointed to have given the referee a decision to make for QPR’s penalty.
Tyrese Fornah 4: Struggled to assert himself on the game. Could easily have cost his side a goal when he got dispossessed on the halfway line in the first half. Played in Joao to win the Royals’ penalty.
Lucas Joao 4: Did well to win the penalty to put the Royals ahead but struggled to get the ball to stick. Not convinced the partnership between himself and Carroll is a long-term solution.
Andy Carroll 6: Dominated the aerial duels once again and was clearly up for the fight. Perhaps fortunate not to see red after flying in on Roberts late in the first half.
Junior Hoilett 5: Adopted a more advanced position than Yiadom did in the first half. Looked to have teed up Ejaria with a pinpoint cross in the second half, but the midfielder could not convert.
Ovie Ejaria 5: Could have put his team ahead but was unable to get a shot away. Didn’t really have enough time to impact the game.
Tom Ince: N/A
Subs: Bouzanis, Meite, Mbengue, Abbey
