Reading FC fell to defeat after a dominant display from Premier League Brighton & Hove Albion in their final pre-season match before the start of the 2022/23 season.
The Royals had to stand up to a tough test against the Seagulls who controlled the ball for large periods of the game.
An improved second-half saw Yakou Meite net from the penalty spot with his fourth goal of pre-season after goals from Pascal Gross and Solly March had put Brighton two in front.
Paul Ince’s side open their 2022/23 Championship campaign next Saturday away at Blackpool.
Reading lined up for their final pre-season game against Premier League Brighton & Hove Albion before the start of the Championship season next week when they visit Blackpool.
Shane Long missed out on the matchday squad with an injury which meant Yakou Meite started up top, while Lucas Joao was named among the substitutes.
Meanwhile, new signing Sam Hutchinson who signed a two-year deal after impressing on trial started in a back three with Tom McIntyre and Tom Holmes.
The game started with plenty of possession for the top flight visitors, a theme that continued throughout the half.
As expected, Brighton were calm and composed in possession at the back and incisive when they got the ball into forward areas as the Royals tried to stay compact at the back to limit their chances.
The Seagulls first chance on goal came after Ovie Ejaria surrendered possession cheaply which led to Danny Welbeck getting into the box and having his powerful effort smartly tipped round the front post by Joe Lumley.
Ejaria again gave the ball up cheaply in his own half after he slipped but Hutchinson was perfectly placed to mop up the danger after a cross was whipped into the box.
Brighton looked tgo hurt Reading down the left with combination play from Marc Cucurella, Solly March and Leandro Trossard.
Reading’s defence was breached in the 19th minute when Pascal Gross pounced from close range to nod the ball past Lumley ater March had gone close just moments prior.
The hosts struggled to get on the ball for any sustained period throughout the first-half as Brighton controlled proceedings and asserted their dominance by pinning Reading back in their own half.
Ejaria continued to struggle with Brighton’s high press as he gave away possession in his own half on multiple occasions, but Reading survived any further infliction to the scoreline.
The half came to a close with Reading a goal down and plenty of room for improvement in the second 45.
Just two minutes after the restart, the Seasiders extended their lead to reflect their commanding display.
Solly March took aim from 20 yards out and slammed the ball low into the bottom corner to beat Lumley.
The Royals finally found some joy in Brighton’s half when Tom Ince ignited an attack and spread the ball out left where Junior Hoilett won a corner for his side.
Ince opted for a change in the 55th minute which saw Lucas Joao replace Tyrese Fornah.
Reading were awarded a penalty in the 58th minute when goalkeeper Robert Sanchez played a loose pass that was intercepted by Meite, he slid the ball through to Ince who was dragged down in the box.
Meite took the spot kick and rolled it past Sanchez to put Reading back into the contest as he netted his fourth goal of the pre-season.
Brighton looked to restore their two goal lead when the ball fell invitingly for Alexis Mac Allister to strike, but Lumley caught the ball with ease.
Graham Potter’s side burst away quickly with Welbeck and Enock Mwepu, but Holmes got across quickly to recover with an expertly timed sliding tackle.
Brighton made a plethora of changes in the 70th minute as they changed almost their entire team.
Hoilett threatened when he received the ball from Meite and unleashed a strong drive at goal that was parried away by Jason Steele.
With just over 10 minutes left to play, Femi Azeez and Nesta Guinness-Walker replaced Meite and Hoilett and Yasin Ben El-Mhanni and Kelvin Abrefa entered the play for the final five minutes.
Reading: Lumley, Yiadom (c), McIntyre, Holmes, Hutchinson, Hendrick, Fornah, Ejaria, Hoilett, Ince, Meite
Subs: Bouzanis, El-Mhanni, Abrefa, Guinness-Walker, Azeez, Leavy, Clarke, Joao
Brighton: Sanchez, Lamptey, Cucurella, Dunk (c), Veltman, Caicedo, Gross, March, Mac
Allister, Trossard, Welbeck
Subs: Steele, McGill, Webster, Mweou, Maupay, Lallana, Alzate, Sarmiento, Enciso, Undav, Mitoma, Duffy, Clarke Ferguson, Van Hecke
Goals: Gross 19’, March 47’ Meite (pen) 58’
