Reading all but confirmed their safety after producing one of the narrow football results of the weekend in the Championship. Lucas Joao opened the scoring in the 17th minute before Iliman N’Diaye scored the equalizer in the 90th minute. Just when it looked like both sides would share the points, Tom McIntyre scored the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Managers Reaction
Sheffield United’s Paul Heckingbottom: “You look at where we are now, we have got four games left. It’s turned into a sprint. The games are going to get tighter, nervier and more important than that one. The big takeaway message is that we need to make better decisions. I thought the emotion of scoring and the stadium erupting affected our next two minutes. Although we did have young players on the pitch who maybe made mistakes in that moment, we had more than enough experience to get set up properly and deal with the threat. The first few minutes we started well. We were under no illusions how tough the game was going to be. The game didn’t surprise us one bit, they were going to be tough to break down, they would be a threat on the counter.”
Reading’s Paul Ince: “It was a fantastic performance from the boys. Since I have come here, they have been progressing and getting better. It was the best I have seen them play under me. When we won the ball we cut them apart, nice precise quick passing. It was a proper, proper team and that’s what you need when you’re playing in the Championship, against these top teams. And Sheffield United is a top team. I must say (the win was) thoroughly deserved. We had so many chances, two or three great chances in the first half.”
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