Reading re-affirmed their automatic promotion intentions as three goals in a ruthless 19-minute period earned a 3-1 win over Bournemouth at the Madejski Stadium.
Josh Laurent set the Royals on their way after a spell of pressure (24), before Tom McIntyre seized upon a loose ball inside the six-yard box to add a second just after the half-hour (31).
A fourth goal in as many games from in-form frontman Lucas Joao extended the hosts’ lead before the break (43) and while Junior Stanislas pulled one back late on (85), that was where the Cherries’ comeback started and finished.
Veljko Paunovic’s men move above Brentford into fourth as a result, level on points with second-placed Swansea and third-placed Watford. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough and Bristol City could move level on points with sixth-placed Bournemouth with victory in their respective fixtures on Saturday.
More to follow…
What’s next?
Bournemouth are next in action at 7pm on Tuesday, February 2, when they host Sheffield Wednesday at the Vitality Stadium, while Reading play again at 3pm on Saturday, February 6, when they travel to the Bet365 Stadium to face Stoke.
