Reading manager Leam Richardson praised his players and coaching staff after the Royals secured a 4-1 victory at Plymouth Argyle on Boxing Day, marking their first away win on 26 December in two decades.
The Pilgrims were reduced to 10 men, and Reading responded with three goals in a 20-minute spell before half-time. Lewis Wing scored twice, while Kamari Doyle added a further strike. Joel Pereira saved a penalty, and Jack Marriott wrapped up the scoring late in the game at Home Park.
“Firstly, we have to start with the fans,” Richardson told RoyalsTV. “To travel the furthest in the whole EFL, 900 plus of them, I’m absolutely made up that we gave them something like that to go home with. Credit goes to the players with how they started the game and saw it through with the result.”
Richardson highlighted the team’s consistency and tactical discipline, praising their control both with and without the ball. “There were a lot of passages of play that were thoughtful and really methodical from what we want to be. I thought we controlled the game without the ball really well and had some really good passages of play with it, especially away from home. There aren’t many times you go away on Boxing Day and win 4-1, so full credit goes to the staff and the players.”
Reflecting on key moments, he added: “Every moment is huge. The first goal was huge, the second goal, the penalty save and the fourth goal. We could have possibly scored again if we are ruthless, but that will come and we will get better from today. We want to be a consistent team, whether we are at Home Park or Select Car Leasing Stadium.”
Reading will look to continue their run of form when they travel to in-form Peterborough United on 29 December, aiming for a third consecutive league win.
