MX23RW : Monday, November 25 15:55:01| >> :120:22257:22257:
[monks data]
Attendance: 11,633
Reading logo
Championship | Gameweek 29
Jan 28, 2020 at 8pm UK
 
Bristol City

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Paterson (61')

Jamie Paterson fires Bristol City to victory over Reading

Ashley Williams had to clear a goalbound effort from Chris Gunter off the line late on.

Jamie Paterson scored the winner as Bristol City boosted their Sky Bet Championship play-off hopes with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Reading at Madejski Stadium.

A poor first half from both sides offered only one highlight, when City goalkeeper Daniel Bentley saved superbly from John Swift's fierce drive.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute – and went on to claim their third successive league win – when Paterson finished coolly.

City had won their previous two Championship games – against Wigan and Barnsley – to move to within two points of the play-off places.

Reading had enjoyed a good run of form, losing only once in 12 outings in all competitions.

They drew 1-1 at home with Cardiff in their FA Cup fourth-round tie on Saturday.

Reading could have gone ahead in the opening seconds after slack work in the City midfield.

George Puscas gained possession and drove towards goal but his eventual shot was blocked by the retreating defence.

City quickly recovered and moved forward with pace and intent.

Famara Diedhiou cut in from the right flank but his weak attempt was easily gathered by home goalkeeper Rafael.

Niclas Eliasson then crossed accurately from the same wing only to see Andreas Weimann's glancing header drift harmlessly wide.

Reading countered when Pele played a long pass over the City rearguard for Puscas to run on to.

The Romanian striker seemed favourite to reach the ball first but Bentley swiftly dashed from his goal line to snuff out the danger.

Bentley also had to be alert to keep out a powerful 20-yard effort from Swift.

Most of City's best work came from the tricky Eliasson on the right and, from another of his teasing crosses, Paterson headed wastefully off target.

Reading upped the tempo towards the break but a series of corners came to nothing.

City did not improve significantly at the start of the second period, with the hosts again on top.

Jordan Obita whipped in a cross from the left that Puscas narrowly failed to connect with.

Michael Olise, Reading's 18-year-old midfielder, then tried his luck from distance only to fire high and wide.

Reading should have gone ahead from an Obita corner but, from Michael Morrison's far-post nod-back, Ovie Ejaria somehow scooped over.

It was to prove costly, with City scoring soon after.

Eliasson fed Paterson and, with the Reading defence appealing for offside, Paterson calmly slotted home from close range.

City could have added to their lead late on but defender Nathan Baker missed with a header and Rafael saved from substitute Callum O'Dowda.

Reading, though, almost snatched an equaliser in the dying seconds.

Yakou Meite nodded against a post and Ashley Williams had to clear a goalbound effort from Chris Gunter off the line.

ID:387874: cacheID:387874:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5842:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Bristol City boss Lee Johnson on December 22, 2019
Read Next:
Bristol City boss Johnson lost for words after Barnsley win
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds1695228121632
2Sunderland1695226121432
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1610422191232
4Burnley168621961330
5Middlesbrough1683529191027
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom166821811726
7Watford168262524126
8Millwall166641914524
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City165742020022
11Derby CountyDerby165562020020
12Stoke CityStoke165561920-120
13Norwich CityNorwich164752524119
14Swansea CitySwansea165471414019
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds165471826-819
16Luton TownLuton165381826-818
17Coventry CityCoventry164572223-117
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd164571924-517
19Plymouth ArgylePlymouth164571728-1117
20Preston North EndPreston163761624-816
21Cardiff CityCardiff164481524-916
22Hull City163671621-515
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR161871326-1311


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!