Reading 1-0 Blackburn Rovers: George Puscas makes goal-scoring return for Royals
- Published
George Puscas marked his first start for Reading since 7 November with the winner
George Puscas marked his return to Reading's starting line-up with the only goal in their win against Blackburn Rovers.
The Romania striker was gifted time and space for a finish midway through the first half after Lucas Joao unselfishly picked him out.
It proved enough to end a run of three straight home defeats for Reading and helped consolidate their place in the top six.
Blackburn struggled to put the hosts under any concerted pressure and are now without a win in seven league games, having lost six of those.
Puscas was the only change for Reading from their win at Rotherham on Saturday and his impact was almost immediate.
He nearly marked his return to the side with a goal from his side's first attack, but his powerful near-post header from Andy Yiadom's cross was palmed over by Thomas Kaminski.
The former Inter Milan striker then went close with an audacious effort from the halfway line which nearly caught Kaminski off his line, but much to the Rovers goalkeeper's relief, the ball landed on the roof of the net.
However, he was not to be denied when handed a gift of a chance as first Ovie Ejaria stole the ball from a hesitant Harvey Elliott inside his own half and fed top-scorer Joao, who squared for Puscas to slot home from 12 yards.
Blackburn tried to mount a response, but Veljko Paunovic's side were largely untroubled at the back despite losing centre-back Michael Morrison through injury towards half-time.
Striker Adam Armstrong missed a couple of chances to draw them level in the second half, sending a half-volley narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area, and then again in stoppage-time when he failed to hit the target from a Barry Douglas cross.
Ben Brereton was also denied by a couple of saves in either half by Rafael, while skipper Darragh Lenihan should have done better when found unmarked with a header from six yards out.
Rovers stay 15th despite the defeat, but Tony Mowbray's side now find themselves 13 points adrift of the play-off places, while Reading strengthened their grip on fifth and are six points behind the automatic promotion spots.
Reading manager Veljko Paunovic told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"I think the performance from the team today was excellent, especially in defence in getting a clean sheet.
"We were clinical. The best opportunity we had, we executed properly.
"I am very happy because we showed maturity and a mentality of a team that knows how to play these games and understands the point of the season we are in.
"Today the team looked very similar to the team who was playing at the beginning of the season. That's the mindset we have right now."
Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray:
"We probably didn't get what we deserved from the game, but you have to create chances and score to win games.
"I've said to the players in the changing room, there's plenty of positives and a lot to be pleased with, but ultimately we didn't create enough chances from the possession we had.
"I didn't really think they could hurt us too much, but they punished us with the goal that came from a really poor mistake from ourselves.
"It's frustrating to come away with nothing in a game where we felt we deserved better. But the last 20 metres are hurting us right now, either the final pass or the shot."