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Lucas Joao has already scored three goals in the Championship this season
Lucas Joao scored a magnificent individual goal to send Reading three points clear at the top of the Championship with the victory against Wycombe.
A fifth win in six games for the hosts was close as Wycombe pushed all the way for a draw in an attempt to earn his first championship point.
Fred Onyedinma approached the Chairboys twice at the end, with Reading goalkeeper Rafael unleashing a strong shot around the corner.
But Joao provided the defining moment shortly after the hour mark when he grabbed onto Liam Moore’s long ball in the penalty area before knocking it down and confidently finishing off Ryan Allsop.
Reading reach the top of the championship for the first time this season after Middlesbrough, the only team to take points away from them so far this season, beat Bristol City 1-0 at Ashton Gate.
- Relive Tuesday’s EFL action
Veljko Paunovic has overseen three league wins at home and three clean sheets since taking over at Madejski Stadium in September. Wycombe is still looking for a first point after a sixth straight loss.
Arguably there was little between the sides before Joao scored his third league goal of the season.
Yakou Meite came closer to scoring before that as he failed to find the target with a free header from an Ovie Ejaria cross in first-half injury time and then Allsop blocked his dangerous low center from the right into the first stick.
Alex Samuel almost gave an immediate response to Joao’s goal for Wycombe, but failed to make clean contact to the center of Onyedinma shortly after he came off the bench.
Wycombe’s tough start to the Championship will continue as they face relegated teams Norwich City and Watford in their next two games.
Reading manager Veljko Paunovic told BBC Radio Berkshire:
“This was without a doubt the toughest challenge for us so far this season. Maintaining our good streak and after drawing at Middlesbrough, we were eager for a win.
“The first half did not work out well for us, they were the best team and they worked harder than us and we have to say that we added these three points fighting hard.
“Wycombe fought hard and made it challenging for us.
“Defensively, we look solid so far, but we have to keep working to improve in the future and game by game, we will continue to build and progress.
“We are not looking at the table, just our next opponent and we know that Rotherham will be a tough test on Saturday.”
Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth told BBC Three Counties Radio:
“The performance was excellent, but I cannot continue to say that the results are the important thing in the game.
“We have really led the team to the top of the league until the end and I don’t think anyone would have envied us a goal and a point.
“They were key moments again. We have to better defend that long ball inside the box and other than that I don’t think Ryan (Allsop) had a save to make.
“Guys have to be better because if they are giving me their all, the best of them is not good enough right now.
“We had a couple of shots on his goal, but we missed it. If we do, then we find a tie.”
“I think six losses at the top is the first time for me and it’s not a pleasant feeling. We need to get a win on the board and I’m sure that’s just around the corner.”
- Lineups Match Statistics Live Text
Lineups
- 33Cabral Barbosa29HolmesSubstituted by Pontes Estevesat 57’minutes4Morrison6Moore3Richards8RinomhotaReserved at 78 minutes28Laurent11MeiteReplaced by Semedoat 57’minutes7OliseReplaced byMcIntyreat 89’minutes14Ejaria18Lucas JoãoReserved at 35 minutes
Substitutes
- 2Bridges Esteves5McIntyre15Gibson22Southwood24Aluko30Semedo47Puscas
Wycombe
- 1Allsop2Grimmer12Knight5Stewart3Jacobson10BloomfieldReplaced by Mehmetiat 80’minutes18Thompson24Adeniran17Horgan11KashketReplaced byOnyedinmaat 64’minutes25SamuelReplaced byAkinfenwaat 68’minutes
Substitutes
- 7Wheeler20Akinfenwa21Charles22Freeman23Onyedinma31Stockdale33Mehmeti
Referee: Andy DaviesMatch StatsHome TeamReadingAway TeamWycombePossessionHome66% Away34% ShotsHome4Away10 Shots on targetHome1Away3CornersHome2Away1FoulsHome12Away17Live TextPost update
Match ends, Reading 1, Wycombe Wanderers 0.
90 ‘+ 6’ Full time
Second Half ends, Reading 1, Wycombe Wanderers 0.
90 ‘+ 4’Post update
Foul by Ovie Ejaria (Reading).
90 ‘+ 4’Post update
Fred Onyedinma (Wycombe Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90 ‘+ 3’Post update
Failed attempt. It goes too high. Anis Mehmeti (Wycombe Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Curtis Thompson.
90 ‘+ 2’Post update
Shot stopped brushing the left square. Fred Onyedinma (Wycombe Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
90 ‘+ 1’Post update
Offside, Reading. Ovie Ejaria tried a through ball, but Alfa Semedo was caught offside.
89’Post update
Lucas João (Reading) wins a free kick on the right wing.
89’Post update
Foul by Joe Jacobson (Wycombe Wanderers).
89 ‘Substitution
Substitution, reading. Tom McIntyre replaces Michael Olise.
89’Post update
Tomás Esteves (Reading) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89’Post update
Foul by Curtis Thompson (Wycombe Wanderers).
86’Post update
Failed attempt. Where are you going! It goes high and bad on the right. Attempt missed. Fred Onyedinma (Wycombe Wanderers) right footed shot from the center of the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
84’Post update
Omar Richards (Reading) wins a free kick on the left wing.
84’Post update
Foul by Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers).
81’Post update
Corner, Wycombe Wanderers. Corner committed by Michael Morrison.
80 ‘Substitution
Change at Wycombe Wanderers. Anis Mehmeti replaces Matt Bloomfield.
78’Reserve
Andy Rinomhota (Reading) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
78’Post update
Foul by Andy Rinomhota (Reading).
78’Post update
Joe Jacobson (Wycombe Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Source: bbc.com
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