Bristol City 0-2 Reading: Dean Holden sacked as Robins boss after defeat against Royals
- Published
Lucas Joao's first-half strike was his sixth in his past eight league appearances
Bristol City sacked head coach Dean Holden after bring brushed aside by Reading for a fifth consecutive league defeat.
The Royals coasted to victory over a listless Robins side who were thumped 6-0 by Watford on Saturday and were again outclassed and fortunate to only be two goals behind at the break.
Lucas Joao grabbed the first goal, showing great control and a typically smart finish to net his 20th goal of the season, before centre-back Michael Morrison powered his way through to make it 2-0 with a deflected strike.
City, who are 13th in the table, 11 points above the relegation zone and seven points off the play-off places, improved after the break.
But they ended the match with just one attempt on target as the Royals, who remain fifth after ending a two-game losing run, remained in control.
The hosts, out of form and lacking numbers because of a lengthy injury list, were disjointed and ineffective in attack throughout.
All the first-half opportunities came at the other end with Michael Olise, Ovie Ejaria and Joao causing most of the problems.
Tomas Esteves had a fierce 20-yard strike cleared off the line by Tomas Kalas after Olise's corner was only half cleared.
Ejaria then went close with a heavily deflected shot that trickled a fraction wide before teeing up Olise, who was denied by a fine goal-line clearance by Jack Hunt.
Relentless pressure told when Joao scored his 17th league goal of the season after being left unmarked at a free-kick and Morrison's marauding run produced a memorable second goal.
City showed more spirit in the second period but posed little threat and the Royals saw out the win with little trouble.
Reaction - Royals team make Joao 'special'
Reading boss Veljko Paunovic: "It is great for Lucas Joao to achieve the important 20-goal landmark with so many games to go and I am sure there are many more to come.
"He has so much going for him in terms of ability and confidence. But it is the team who make him special and every player contributed to a tremendous performance.
"It was important we bounced back quickly after two defeats and the players showed a lot of character to get us back on track.
"We knew we were facing a team going through a difficult period so it was sure to be a tough game. But we handled that brilliantly and scored two beautiful goals.
"Morrison's was my favourite of the season. He is so brave getting forward and once he spotted a gap his determination took him through to score."