Newcastle claimed a credible point at Reading tonight, but how did the players rate ... here's the match facts from the Madejski Stadium.
Goals: None
Bookings: None
Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire) – the ex-professional let the game flow and was not at the centre of things. 8
Attendance: 23, 121
Entertainment: **
Shots on 1 5
Shots off 5 7
Corners 7 4
Offsides 3 2
Fouls 7 6
READING (4-2-3-1): Al-Habsi 7; Gunter 5, McShane 7, Moore 6 (Obita 51, 6), Blackett 6; Mutch 7, van der Berg 6; McCleary 7, Kelly 6 (Williams 46, 6), KERMORGANT 7; Grabban 6. Subs (not used): Evans, Beerens, Swift, Popa, Jaakkola.
NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-3-2-1):
7 Darlow: Didn’t have much to do in the first half but when he was called upon he was on hand to be strong;
6 Gamez: Solid enough second league start for the club and kept McCleary quiet
6 Lascelles: Not as busy as he was at Huddersfield but did what he had to do
8 CLARK: Strong in the challenge and effective in the air to frustrate the Royals
7 Dummett: Is enjoying a good run of form and linked well down the left with Gouffran and Ritchie;
6 Shelvey: Will wonder how he didn’t score in the first half after a couple of good chances
6 Colback: Has built an understanding with Shelvey in recent matches to vindicate his place;
7 Ritchie: Quiet in the opening half an hour and then burst into life when he hit the post
5 Perez: A few nice touches even if he needed to do more in the final third to cause problems
6 Gouffran: Could have scored a couple of times on a night when he justified his place before injury forced him off;
5 Murphy: Held the ball up well without testing the keeper until mid-way through the second half so no surprise when he was withdrawn
Subs:
Atsu (for Gouffran 68): Didn’t have the impact he would have liked. 5
Gayle (for Murphy 75)
Diame (for Colback 88)
(not used): Elliot (gk), Anita, Mbemba, Hanley.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Ciaran Clark – this time it was the Irishman’s turn to lead by example at the heart of the defence to earn a positive result.
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