Leeds United at Reading quick recap: Whites outplayed, can’t find equalizer, lose 1-0

Pre-match Thoughts...

Pontus Jansson misses the 18 because of a hamstring issue, apparently. It looks like Monk is not making many changes. Liam Cooper earns another start next to Kyle Bartley, and these two pairing up will be a huge factor to decide which team comes out on top. If Bartley and Cooper are in-sync, then Leeds United should come away with points.

Kick-off!!!

Reading kick-off and we are under way at the Madejski!

Only five minutes in here and Pablo Hernandez catches the Reading defense napping, but his effort is weak and Ali Al Habsi makes the save.

Barely even a minute later and Reading are at the other end. Roy Beerens plays in John Swift but his attempt is over Rob Green and his goal.

Free-kick!! Charlie Taylor wins The Whites a free-kick on the left side in a dangerous area!

10 minutes in and Pablo’s free-kick finds Kyle Bartley after Habsi misses the ball, but Bartley can only head it wide. 0-0.

Chris Gunter wins Reading a free kick on the right hand side but the following free-kick is met and cleared away by Liam Cooper.

Goal Reading. Only 18 minutes in and Reading have the Madejski rocking following a goal by Yann Kermorgant. 1-0.

Super save!!! Rob Green is met with a one on one by Garath McCleary, but the veteran between the posts does great to deny Reading a 2nd goal here in the 39th minute. 1-0.

39’ Leeds have a counter, Pedraza whips in a low cross which is met by Pablo Hernandez but his effort goes wide.

Post! Kermorgant’s effort is denied by the post as Leeds still find themselves down 1-0.

Half-time: 1-0 Reading

Kermorgant’s goal stands to be the difference here. Leeds are not playing enthusiastically, and Pablo Hernandez has had one of his worst halves as a Leeds player. Monk’s half-time speech better pay off if The Whites are to get a good result from this game.

Second half begins

Pablo Hernandez gets Leeds started here in the 2nd half.

Yellow card! Swift from Reading is booked for bringing down Chris Wood on the counter-attack.

Save! 55 minutes in and Beerens takes one too many touches as it gives Rob Green time to deny a 2nd goal. 1-0.

Corner for Leeds United, 59’. Kyle Bartley knocks down the header but Liam Cooper’s effort goes just over.

Substitution. Hadi Sacko is replaced by Souleymane Doukara in the 60th minute.

Substitution. Not much is occurring here in the 2nd half, Monk elects to make another change in the 67th minute as Kalvin Phillips replaces Alfonso Pedraza.

Save! Reading receive a corner and the whipped in ball is tipped over by Rob Green.

74th minute currently and Leeds have had a string of corners, all of which have come to nothing. Still 1-0 to Reading here at the Madejski.

Chance! Doukara fires a shit that Habsi has to save, it hits off the post and goes out for another Leeds corner!

The corner comes to nothing and Leeds have given up a free-kick.

80’ Leeds have had much more of the possession in this 2nd half, let’s tie this game up!

Chance! Doukara plays a wonderful ball to Taylor, whose cross falls to Viera’s left foot but his weak shot goes right to Habsi.

Danny Williams gets booked late here in the 84th minute. Free-kick to Leeds.

Substitution: Kemar Roofe replaces Ronaldo Vieira late.

Yellow card for Kermorgant here in the 89th minute. Leeds sending up the big boys.

SIX MINUTES OF ADDED TIME

Leeds win a corner thanks to Doukara, but nothing comes from it as time is running out.

Berardi tugs a Reading player and they receive a free-kick. 95’.

FINAL WHISTLE BLOWS: Reading 1 - Leeds 0.

Leeds couldn’t muster up a goal as Monk and his men lose 1-0 at the Madejski. Terrible defending throughout could have led to more goals for Reading, and a below average performance by the team in general has us fans feelings down. But, there’s more games ahead, and more time to fight for the top 2... or the play offs at least. Maybe we’ll face Reading again in May. MOT.